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Alden Bridge Sports Fields will be closed through early 2027 for Phase 1 of an $11.2 million improvement project to increase outdoor recreation options in the community.

The details: The project will provide more parking, expand playable field space and update restrooms and fencing, among other changes, said John McGowan, the director of The Woodlands Township Parks & Recreation Department.
The estimate for the full renovation project, which includes a second phase, is $17.8 million.
The first phase will start construction this February and finish around March 2027, McGowan said.

Also of note: Phase 2 has not yet been funded, and the parks and recreation department will request funding for the remainder of the project during budget discussions in August, Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes told Community Impact.

The Woodlands Township could support another two hotels, including an "upper-upscale" luxury hotel, to keep more hotel and convention business in the township borders, according to a report presented at the Jan. 22 board of directors meeting.

The details: According to the report, The Woodlands lost $175 million in potential business leads for hotel room nights for 2021-30, mostly in 2023-25. Those potential losses—a total of 651 leads—were attributed to a range of factors, such as business lost to other cities or due to the hotel and meeting space not being the right fit for layout or size. 

The context: This is not the first time in recent years that the township has discussed bringing two new hotels into its limits.

In early 2023, The Woodlands Mall managers, Brookfield Properties, outlined a proposal for a mall expansion that would bring two new hotels, as well as retail and restaurant space, to the southwest corner of the mall. However, despite economic development incentives, that plan has not advanced beyond the discussion stage, officials said.

Schools, government buildings and some polling places will remain closed on Jan. 26 as Winter Storm Fern had a late arrival to the Greater Houston area Jan. 24.

Current situation: According to the National Weather Service, the Greater Houston area can expect continued temperatures below freezing into Jan. 27. Per information on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ Grid and Market Conditions dashboard, power supply continues to outweigh demand.

Government closures: In The Woodlands, Town Center Trolleys and The Woodlands Express Bus service will not operate Jan. 26. All The Woodlands Township offices, including Town Hall and the Parks and Recreation campus, will likewise be closed Jan. 26. Any Village meetings scheduled for Jan. 26 have also been canceled.

Additional warming centers: More warming centers have opened across the Greater Houston area, in addition to the 13 warming centers that were announced in Harris County Jan. 22. All warming centers will be open through at least Jan. 26; however, residents are encouraged to call ahead if possible.

Two candidates for Texas House of Representatives District 3 will appear on the ballot for both the Democratic and Republican primaries on election day.

The details: District 3 covers portions of Magnolia and Montgomery County. The seat is currently held by Rep. Cecil Bell Jr., R-Magnolia, who was elected to the position in 2013.

Primary early voting begins Feb. 17, and election day is March 3. The winners of the Democratic and Republican primaries will face off in the general election in November.

Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Conroe ISD Education Foundation will now be district-affiliated, following approval by the board of trustees at its Jan. 20 meeting.

The backstory: The Conroe ISD Education Foundation has served since 2001 as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, providing financial support through scholarships for students, grants and educational initiatives, its website states.

What to know: CISD Executive Director of Communications Andrew Stewart said the current board of the foundation requested the foundation transition to a district-affiliated organization in October.

“This recommendation reflects their desire to ensure long-term sustainability, alignment and continued impact for Conroe ISD staff and students,” Stewart said.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Jan. 19-23.

In a nutshell: Montgomery County commissioners took a step toward a new countywide transportation roadmap Jan. 15, discussing a mobility study they said will be the first to outline a 10-year plan for the entire county. 

County Judge Mark Keough said the project will kick off in January and is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete. Once finished, he said the county plans to initiate a county thoroughfare plan update.

What else: The project to extend the Grand Parkway through League City has made progress after the city recently sold a 1.8-acre highway easement to the Texas Department of Transportation.

League City City Council voted unanimously to transfer the highway easement, also known as Parcel 315, to TxDOT for a sum of nearly $319,000, according to city documents.

One more thing: The Hallmark, a luxury senior living community, is expanding its campus in Greater Uptown by 2030.