Community Restoration Project
Moving forward together, Sparks Lake Activity Center is restoring the historic Emeline Carpenter School gymnasium into a renewed community destination where youth programs, recreation, basketball, gatherings, and shared events bring people together. This project honors the site’s legacy while investing in the future of Nacogdoches, the oldest city in Texas.
Explore What’s Happening Now
We’re sharing progress updates, future opening plans, event activity, and ways to participate as the building and grounds continue to develop.
Construction & Progress Updates
See what’s completed, what’s underway, and what’s next as the restoration moves forward.
Go To Updates → Walking Tour →Facilities & Amenities
Explore the gym, indoor activity space, planned outdoor recreation, and future amenities that support community use.
View Facilities → View Amenities →Event Portal & Calendar
Events, registrations, tickets, scheduling, and future activity updates are handled through SLACNAC.com.
View Events → View Calendar →Historic Emeline Carpenter Grounds
Learn how the restoration connects to the story, legacy, and future use of the historic campus.
Legacy History → Emeline Carpenter →Sponsorship & Naming Opportunities
Help fund improvements, amenities, signage, youth activity, and long-term community programming.
Sponsorship → Support SLAC →Virtual Walking Tour
Explore the property, future amenities, outdoor grounds, walking paths, and restoration areas through the virtual tour experience.
Start Tour →Restoration, Events, And Community Growth
SparksLakeActivityCenter.com tells the story of the property, restoration, amenities, sponsorship, and vision. SLACNAC.com handles events, calendars, registrations, tickets, and future activity scheduling.
🏆 Sponsor Naming Opportunities
Put your name where the community plays, competes, and gathers.
Indoor Sponsorship Opportunities
These indoor improvements are sponsorship-funded. Families, local businesses, and community partners can help finish high-impact upgrades that make the Activity Center more comfortable, more flexible, and more useful year-round.
Lighting Sponsor
- Helps fund drop-down lighting for tables and events
- Supports a warmer, more professional event atmosphere
- Recognition opportunity inside the event area
Bathrooms / Dressing Rooms Sponsor
- Directly supports build-out for events and tournaments
- Improves comfort for guests, teams, and performers
- One of the most meaningful functional upgrades
Room Divider Sponsor
- Funds a divider for flexible event layouts
- Helps the building serve multiple uses more efficiently
- Strong family legacy or business recognition opportunity
A Private Restoration With A Community Purpose
The Community Restoration Project is a private restoration effort at Sparks Lake in historic Nacogdoches — the oldest town in Texas. The goal is to responsibly restore the historic Emeline Carpenter grounds into a safe, welcoming environment for recreation, events, youth activity, and long-term community use.
This is not a quick renovation. It is a long-term phased restoration focused on safety, stewardship, organized growth, and future opportunities for families and the community.
Events, Calendars & Registrations
Event scheduling, registrations, ticketing, and activity updates are handled through SLACNAC.com. Visitors can also explore the property using the Virtual Walking Tour.
What We’re Building
Safety & Readiness
Preparing the property so it is safe, functional, and ready for organized use.
- Site clean-up and repairs
- Lighting, entrances, and walk paths
- Rules, signage, and safe operation planning
Security & Stewardship
Protecting people, property, and investment while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
- Controlled access and perimeter awareness
- Security lighting and monitoring where appropriate
- Volunteer and event stewardship
Community Features
Recreation and event-focused spaces designed for long-term community use.
- Indoor basketball and activity use
- Outdoor recreation amenities over time
- Legacy elements like the Brick Path
Why This Matters In Nacogdoches
Nacogdoches has a long history of education, family, and community connection. This restoration invests in that future by creating a place designed for safe activity, recreation, gatherings, and positive experiences.
Private Property, Community Vision
While the Activity Center is privately restored, community involvement is welcomed through structured programs, sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and organized events.
- Visible phases and measurable progress
- Clear operations and safety priorities
- Responsible long-term stewardship
Restoration Phases
Restoration is moving forward in practical phases so progress stays visible, organized, and sustainable as partnerships and funding continue to grow.
Security & Safety
- Site clean-up and repairs
- Lighting and safe access
- Rules, signage, and readiness planning
Community Use
- Gym improvements and equipment
- Scheduling and operations planning
- Youth programs and recreation
Legacy & Long-Term Growth
- Expanded recreation features
- Legacy Brick Path and recognition areas
- Long-term maintenance and sustainability
Help Restore The Activity Center
Sponsorships, donations, and community support help move the restoration forward. Every contribution supports safer facilities, improved recreation, future amenities, and stronger long-term opportunities for the community.
What Indoor Sponsorship Helps Pay For
Sponsorship dollars go toward upgrades that improve comfort, functionality, and event readiness — so SLAC can serve more families, programs, and community gatherings year-round.
- Air handler and cooling improvements
- Drop-down lighting for tables and event setups
- Paint and interior finishing upgrades
- Room divider for flexible multi-use layouts
- Bathrooms and dressing room build-out
Restoration Phases
Phase 1: Safety & Readiness
- Site cleanup and basic repairs
- Facility safety checks and readiness
- Lighting, entrances, and essential improvements
Phase 2: Gym & Community Use
- Gym improvements and equipment
- Scheduling, events, and operations planning
- Community recreation and youth programs
Phase 3: Long-Term Impact
- Enhanced experience and facility upgrades
- Legacy features (Sponsor recognition, Brick Path)
- Long-term maintenance and sustainability