Exciting progress is underway for Kids Inc. and its ambitious Rockrose Sports Park project. On Thursday, the organization announced a major financial boost—a $1 million donation from private donor Sherry Morrison. This generous contribution brings Kids Inc. even closer to its $30 million goal, with the total now standing at $22,879,575.
A Donation With Meaning
This donation carries a special significance. Sherry Morrison made the contribution in honor of her late husband, Dean Morrison, who was deeply involved in the Amarillo community for many years.
“Sherry lost her husband Dean, who was a big part of this community for a lot of years, and she wanted to do something to honor Dean. She chose to give us a million dollars to put towards our complex in Dean’s honor,” said Jimmy Lackey, President and CEO of Kids Inc.
The Morrison family's generosity didn’t stop there. Norman Morrison, Dean’s grandson and a senior at Tascosa High School, also made a personal contribution. Instead of asking for traditional gifts, he has requested donations toward the project, emphasizing his commitment to helping local youth.
“I want to help other people around me,” Norman Morrison said. “The kids in my community that don’t have some of the advantages I have.”
Norman hopes to continue his grandfather’s legacy of giving and one day share it with his own children.
The Final Stretch: What’s Next for Kids Inc.?
With this latest donation, Kids Inc. is closing in on the $24 million mark, which will trigger a challenge grant that will push the total to $25 million. This would bring the organization within $5 million of its final goal and allow construction to begin.
“The goal is to be able to submit some plans to the city in June, get those approved and go to bid in July, and hopefully start construction in August,” Lackey explained. “There are still dollars to raise, but we’re so close that I feel very comfortable getting started.”
The Vision for Rockrose Sports Park
This state-of-the-art multi-sport complex is expected to be a game-changer for Amarillo’s athletic community. Once completed, the park will feature:
8 baseball fields
31 soccer fields
8 Olympic-sized flag football fields
Large parking areas for families and visitors
Kids Inc. currently serves 18,000 youth annually, and with this new complex, those numbers could double, turning Amarillo into a premier sports destination for tournaments and athletic competitions.
Infrastructure and City Support
Beyond the fields, infrastructure improvements are also in motion.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is making drainage improvements along I-27 to accommodate the complex.
The City of Amarillo is working to enhance Coulter Street, which runs behind the planned sports park.
Public Invited to a Major Announcement
Kids Inc. is inviting the community to a major announcement and project update on Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Kids Inc. Warehouse (Mary E. Bivins Room).
This event will provide the latest details on the Rockrose Sports Park project and feature members of the construction team who will discuss the next steps.
A Project Years in the Making
The dream of Rockrose Sports Park has been years in the making. In 2022, Kids Inc. received a 90-acre land donation for the project. By October 2024, the organization had raised $22.5 million out of the $28 million needed for the first phase.
A key selling point of the complex is its 100% synthetic turf fields, which will allow for year-round practice and play. Unlike Amarillo’s existing city park fields, the turf will require less maintenance and be available in all seasons.
Final Thoughts: A Community Effort
As Kids Inc. moves closer to its goal, community support remains essential. The Morrison family's contributions highlight how local generosity is driving this project forward.
With just $1.1 million to go before the challenge grant kicks in, the finish line is in sight. If all goes according to plan, Amarillo could see construction begin by late summer 2025—bringing the vision of Rockrose Sports Park to life for thousands of young athletes.
