The Bexar County Commissioners Court approved a $5 million investment Tuesday for the creation of the University of Texas at San Antonio’s $35 million athletics center slated to open in late 2026.

Dubbed the Roadrunners NEST — Nurturing Elite Sports Talent — the 52,000 square-foot center will be located on UTSA’s main campus on Loop 1604 next to the Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence, which opened in 2021. 

The county’s contribution was part of a partnership between the university, the City of San Antonio and the county. The city approved a $5 million investment for the project in May.

As part of the agreement, UTSA will allow for city and county residents to access the volleyball and basketball facilities for youth sports, competitive events and recreational activities. The county will have a total of five days of free access to the facilities for public events.

“The basketball volleyball training facility will not only be a first-class training facility for our student-athletes but will also allow us to further connect with the community through camps, clinics, practices and other events,” Lisa Campos, UTSA vice president of intercollegiate athletics, said in a written statement expressing gratitude for the county’s continuous support. 

The new athletics facility is part of a partnership between the university, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. Credit: Courtesy / Populous

Construction on the NEST center began in December, with an official groundbreaking ceremony. The facilities will house operations of the university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the women’s volleyball team. It will feature two full-sized practice courts, locker rooms, team lounges, a weight room, an athletic training and hydrotherapy space, coach offices and meeting rooms.

Funding from the county’s contribution to this project will come from Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody’s capital projects allocation. Each precinct was awarded $10.5 million for fiscal year 2023-24.

“UTSA is such a premier institution in our community and has provided so much growth and educational opportunities for our youth … I’m excited about moving this project forward,” Moody said before the item moved forward without opposition. 

The county’s $5 million will fund the overall cost of the project and it will be paid out to UTSA in two $2.5 million payments — upon the execution of this agreement, and once the project reaches 25% completion. 

“We are grateful to Bexar County for its continued support of facilities that benefit both UTSA student-athletes and the county,” Campos said.