The mention of the Hays County Civic Center can evoke fond memories in longtime county residents: concerts, livestock shows, youth agricultural competitions, cultural celebrations — and, of course, the Republic of Texas Chilympiad, which combined carnival rides, live music, armadillo races, a men’s chili competition and an array of other events and attractions into one massive celebration.
But the civic center, once located off of Clovis Barker Road east of Interstate Highway 35 between Mc-Carty and Wonder World Drive, has been closed since 2013. The land sits empty, except for some piles of gravel, piles of trash, a fire hydrant, an electric box and an old parking lot with faded striping — artifacts dotting a bleak landscape at a spot that once hosted so many events for the entire community.
In response to discussions with some Hays County residents, County Judge Ruben Becerra hosted a meeting Thursday afternoon in the Hays County Commissioners Courtroom to begin gauging interest in, and gathering ideas for, bringing a civic center back to the Interstate 35 corridor in Hays County.
