“The Dome” that arises at the end of Vermont Avenue in Mercedes is a facility for sports and games.

The building’s essential purpose, however, is one that is defined and mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Built in 2016, the Dome serves as a shelter for natural disasters, a place where local residents can go when a hurricane is approaching the Rio Grande Valley. Be it a hurricane or some other calamity, the 20,000-square-foot-plus facility has the space needed to temporarily house hundreds of local residents in a time of need.

There was a condition attached to the federal government’s funding of the Dome’s construction.

“They didn’t want it just sitting there not being used,” said Richard Morin, the director of recreation centers in Mercedes.

Consider that request mission accomplished. The Dome Safe Center – as it’s more officially known – is a place where hundreds of local children spend their summer days using computers, reading, doing arts and crafts, and hearing presentations from police officers and firefighters. They also enjoy eating breakfast and lunch with the facility open from 8 a.m.-to-5 p.m. during summer weekdays. When the school year starts, there’s a bevy of after-school activities that go from 3:30 p.m.-to-6 p.m.

Nonprofit organizations like the Red Cross and the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank also partner with the city and its recreation department to utilize the Dome for food drives and meetings to benefit the community and the region.

“There’s a lot going on here,” Morin said.

Expanding Services

The photos of youth basketball and volleyball teams lining the walls of the Dome speak to the importance of the facility to Mercedes and the Mid-Valley.

The emphasis is on serving youth, although on many weekday nights, adult teams are going at it during evening basketball games. In an average year, over 1,200 youths and adults utilize the Dome. The city’s other recreation center is on the other side of town is located on Mathis Street. It, too, is heavily used, and includes always popular swimming pools.

The availability and opening of the Dome on northside Mercedes, (and not far from the show grounds of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show), gave the city a much-needed boost in providing recreational programs for its community. Morin has been there throughout the development of the Dome. Initially, the facility was part of the Boys & Girls Club organization. There was value in being part of such a renowned national organization, but Morin said the city came to realize it could be more fully utilize the Dome if it was fully part of city government.

A partnership was developed with the Mercedes school district. Children are bussed to the Dome after school for youth programs that run from 3:30-6 p.m. In the fall and spring months, there are youth leagues in volleyball, basketball and flag football, including some teams from Weslaco, Donna and La Feria, so local youth can experience competing against kids from other communities, Morin said.

There’s a large expanse of city-owned land behind the Dome that includes a big loop of a paved walking trail used by many local residents to get their daily steps in. A survey is underway for local residents to express their opinions on how the land behind the Dome can be utilized, be it soccer and softball fields, and/or an improved walking trail. In Morin’s view, it’s all good.

“Adding parks and programs helps with mental health,” he said. “It keeps kids and adults active and moving. We love people coming out here to use the Dome and the space we have out here.”

Serving The Community

Beyond recreational programs, the Dome is also put to use by nonprofits and governmental agencies.

Workforce Solutions, a state agency that helps workers find jobs, has hosted job fairs at the Dome. The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department has given out backpacks with school supplies on Dome grounds. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has conducted sessions at the Dome, informing children of the role agriculture plays in getting food to their kitchen tables. The American Red Cross has been a longtime partner as well in having activities at the Dome. Should a natural disaster occur, FEMA and its partners come in, taking priority, but outside of those events, the Dome isn’t just “sitting there and not being used.”

“I’d say we’ve done more than we thought we could do,” Morin said. “We serve the community in so many different ways.”

• Ric Cavazos