A $2 million donation from the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation has given a major boost to Kids, Incorporated’s campaign to build the Rockrose Sports Park — a sprawling youth athletics complex set to transform Amarillo’s sports landscape and economic future.
The donation, announced Monday, not only moved the campaign’s fundraising total to $27 million — just $3 million shy of its $30 million goal — but also unlocked a previously pledged $1.5 million challenge grant from the High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation.
“Well the gift of the Engler Foundation today got us over the hump of the $24 million challenge grant that we’ve had for all this time,” said Jimmy R. Lackey, president and CEO of Kids, Inc. “And so, thanks to the High Plains Christian Ministries, once we hit $24 million, they had a $1.5 million grant waiting for us. So Steve wrote us a check a few weeks ago for that, and we have a $2 million check from the Engler Foundation. That just boosted us about $3.5 million down the road.”
The Engler Foundation’s donation brings the project to roughly 90% of its funding goal for Phase One. It also ensures the multi-purpose venue at the park will bear the foundation’s name.
A Gift with Deep Roots
For Lackey, the donation carries personal significance. “Mr. Engler and my father were friends in Dumas,” he said. “To see his family invest in the next generation through this project — and in this community — means the world to me.”
Angela Lust, executive director of the Engler Foundation, said the decision to support the project was clear-cut.
“This was an easy decision,” Lust said. “This complex isn’t just for Amarillo — it will serve the greater Panhandle. It aligns perfectly with our mission to support education, entrepreneurship, and basic human needs.”
Sara Cady, board member of the Engler Foundation and daughter of Paul Engler, reflected on the personal significance of the gift.
“The Texas Panhandle was very important to my father,” she said. “To make this donation so soon after his passing — and to invest in something that will benefit generations of children and families — is incredibly meaningful to our family.”
Cady recalled her father’s belief that his true legacy would not be found in business, but “in the lives of young people empowered to lead, create, and serve.”
“This gift honors that legacy,” she said. “It honors him.”
From Vision to Construction
With $27 million raised, Lackey says construction could begin as soon as late September or early October. Preparations are already underway: the Amarillo City Council approved final annexation of the land on June 25, and SW General Contractors is expected to open the bidding process in early August.
“When people actually see equipment on the ground, the perception changes,” Lackey said. “It’s not just a concept anymore — it’s real.”
Spanning 36 acres, the outdoor complex will include 31 soccer fields, eight baseball and softball fields, and accommodations for up to seven different sports. Plans also call for concessions, shaded rest areas, restrooms, and over 1,600 parking spaces — all designed to improve access and convenience for families.
“It’s about accessibility,” Lackey added. “Parents won’t have to shuttle between three different locations. This is a facility built for families — for the kids who can’t afford club sports, who just want to find out if they even like soccer or football.”
Economic and Community Impact
Similar projects in other towns managed by Kids, Inc. are already paying dividends. In Hereford, Texas, a new youth sports complex opened earlier this year — and the economic effects were immediate.
“We saw a $25,000 spike in sales tax after just one tournament,” said Hereford Mayor Cathy Bunch. “Our hotels were full. Our restaurants were packed. We had out-of-town visitors everywhere you looked.”
Bunch believes Amarillo can expect a similar outcome. “This kind of investment transforms communities,” she said. “Hereford deserved it. So does Amarillo.”
Final Stretch
Though $3 million remains to be raised, Kids, Inc. is optimistic. The latest gifts have energized the campaign and solidified confidence among donors and community leaders.
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