The long-awaited Boerne ISD Aquatics Learning Center has reached substantial completion, celebrating a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 15.

What’s happening? Paid for through 2022 bond funds, the facility offers a new home for aquatic sports for students at Champion and Boerne high schools.

According to a Dec. 15 news release, the center features a Myrtha Competition pool, which is the highest internal aquatic standard, with depths from 4 feet to 16 feet. The facility is also Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant and equipped for competitive swimming, diving and water polo.

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, new programs will be added to the Boerne ISD curriculum, giving students the option of enrolling in an Outdoor Life Physical Education course.

“We are so excited to have our very own aquatic learning center. This will serve as a dynamic learning environment for our students, and will allow our dedicated athletes the ability to practice and compete on their home turf,” Superintendent Kristin Craft said in the release.

From a Fair Oaks restaurant opening a new location to new local businesses in Boerne, check out these five updates from across the area from November and December.

Bentley Motors
The UK-based auto manufacturer officially unveiled its newest showroom, where customers can browse select models.

• 27605 I-10, Boerne

• 25839 W. I-10 frontage road, San Antonio

• 1032 N. Main St., Boerne

• 1022 N. Main St., Boerne

On Dec. 9, VIA Metropolitan Transit celebrated the launch of the southeast San Antonio VIA Link Zone, which is the sixth Link Zone to open in the city, at the Pre-K 4 SA – South Education Center.

The details: According to a news release, VIA Link Southeast began service Nov. 3 and covers approximately 13.8 square miles in Southeast and East San Antonio, including the Brooks Transit Center and the forthcoming Eastside Transit Center. The service is open from 5 a.m.-11 p.m. with a wait time of roughly 20 minutes or less.

The VIA Link app allows riders to book a ride in specially designated vans, which will drop them off anywhere within the Link Zone. Rides cost $1.30 per ride and riders can request a free transfer if transferring to a VIA bus.

• 7903 S. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio

Central Texas counties could begin receiving up to $1.25 million each in state funding for flood warning sirens in the coming weeks and months, officials announced Dec. 16.

The overview: The funding comes less than six months after historic flooding hit parts of Central and West Texas over the July 4 weekend, killing at least 137 residents and visitors. During special legislative sessions this summer, state lawmakers approved requirements that 30 counties included in a July disaster declaration install flood warning systems with the help of $50 million in state grants.

Zooming in: Each county is expected to receive up to $1.25 million from the Texas Water Development Board. Counties seeking more money will need their requests approved by the three-member board.

Counties are required to submit detailed project plans to the TWDB and can use the grants to install physical infrastructure such as sirens, rain gauges, flood gauges and solar panels to power the warning systems. The money can also be used for local flood education, outreach and training programs, TWDB staff said.