SPART director outlines fall youth leagues, membership changes and a 'Hometown Balch Springs' event

SPART (Sports, Parks, Arts, Recreation, Tourism and Events) director Jessica Lucero briefed the joint boards on programming, operations and a tourism pitch to consolidate event resources.

“We're calling them our all star tots. They'll be for ages 3 to 5… Soccer registration is still open, and our season will start on September 1. Our cost for that, for residents, is $80. Non residents is 100,” Lucero said, outlining the fall schedule and fees. She also described staff structure — six full‑time employees, one part‑time, seasonal positions and interns — and said the department is moving to digital membership cards to better track usage.

Lucero proposed a tourism event called “Hometown Balch Springs” scheduled around the city’s incorporation weekend (June 13), intended as a three‑day showcase to consolidate event planning and reduce duplication with neighboring municipalities. She said the city would retain smaller service events such as trunk‑or‑treat (Oct. 30) and a Veterans Day breakfast (Nov. 11) while focusing larger marketing and tourism efforts on the new weekend.

Council members asked for participation numbers, and Lucero said staff would return with specific counts; she emphasized that improved tracking through membership cards and work‑order data would help staff present more detailed operational costs and attendance figures in future reports.