Lawton City Council approves $33M for youth sports complex, takes action on Tent City

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) — Lawton City Council worked through a packed agenda Tuesday night, approving a resolution to amend the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget to appropriate more than $33 million for the new youth sports complex and taking additional action to address the city’s homeless problem and Tent City.

Youth sports complex and consent agenda

On the consent agenda, the council approved a budget amendment appropriating more than $33.4 million for construction of the new youth sports complex. According to the agenda packet, $40 million was previously earmarked for the project through the LIDA S2026A loan, but only about $6.5 million had been budgeted for fiscal year 2027. The amendment appropriates the remaining $33.46 million in loan proceeds, which will be transferred to reimburse the city’s 2019 Capital Improvement Fund as construction costs are incurred. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027. The package of consent items passed on an 8-0 vote, even after two items were pulled and passed separately.

Water supply and engineering funding

Under regular business, members voted unanimously to add approximately $3.4 million to continue engineering work on the city’s alternate water supply project, aimed at securing a more reliable water source during future droughts.

Amphitheater bid rejected

Council unanimously rejected the lone bid for the Elmer Thomas Park amphitheater and boardwalk project, which came in millions over budget. City staff will repackage the project and send it back out for bid.

Solid waste code overhaul

Council also approved a major overhaul of the city’s solid waste code, covering trash containers, commercial cleanup, landfill services and utility policies.

Tent City and homeless situation

Council heard from Salvation Army Captain Bryan Brinlee about the city’s homeless situation and the closing of Tent City. Brinlee outlined the work the organization has done there and said they cannot continue, pointing to incidents near the camp that required police response — some of them in view of the Red Shield Youth Center.

Council members then voted unanimously to create a task force including the city manager, law enforcement and others to clear out the area and create a plan to close Tent City. The vote also directs a Lawton police officer to be stationed at the encampment 24 hours a day until the area is cleared out and closed.

Council discussed how the task force action relates to a separate 60-day window the council previously gave the community to develop its own plan, which is ongoing. There was discussion about the possibility of both efforts occurring simultaneously.