The Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation is moving high school graduation ceremonies out of Reliant Stadium and into Reliant Arena, a climate controlled venue on the same Reliant Park grounds, and Humble ISD trustees have objected to the change.
The corporation said using the arena lets Reliant Park keep hosting the ceremonies while leaving the stadium available for concerts and other large scale bookings during a peak period. Graduation season runs roughly 20 consecutive days. KPRC 2 reports the change applies to the school districts and colleges that previously held graduations at the stadium.
Humble ISD was the district that went to Harris County Commissioners Court to oppose the decision, ABC13 reports. Trustee Chris Parker told the station the district was told that concerts generate more revenue than high school graduations. District officials argued the stadium was the only local venue that could seat a graduate’s entire support group. Commissioner Tom Ramsey said the decision blindsided him.
Commissioners Court has set further discussion for September 17, when the decision could be revisited.
Humble ISD serves Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita and Fall Creek, so the venue change reaches thousands of Lake Houston area families each spring.
Read the full report at ABC13, and KPRC 2’s account at Click2Houston.
