Smart Financial Center Provides Venue For Commencement Ceremonies

SUGAR LAND, TX —The Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land will host families throughout the region during upcoming Fort Bend ISD commencement ceremonies.

A facility that accommodates the local needs of the community has been a priority since long before the venue's conception.

Years of public feedback, including a citizen-led Visioning Task Force and a public vote, affirmed strong support for the expansion of cultural and entertainment opportunities in Sugar Land and a venue that could host a wide range of performances, including national music and comedy artists, theatrical shows and family entertainment.

During the process, Sugar Land residents also expressed a desire for a venue that would accommodate community events such as high school graduations.

"We are excited to be able to provide a hometown graduation venue for graduating seniors and families in our area," said Assistant City Manager Jennifer May. "We listened to our residents and provided a venue that meets their expectations and is much closer to their homes."Many will experience for the first time a state-of-the-art venue that has attracted national attention with sold-out performances by acts such as Jerry Seinfeld, Don Henley, Dave Matthews, Reba McEntire, Sting and more."

Conservative estimates project the venue to provide an annual benefit to the community of over $26.1 million.

No general fund tax dollars were spent on the Smart Financial Centre or its adjacent plaza.

A focus on tourism and commercial sources to reduce the property tax burden on homeowners has been a key to maintaining one of the state's lowest property tax rates.

Fort Bend ISD will hold 11 graduation ceremonies at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land from June 2-3. Given the tight schedule, Sugar Land will activate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate police and traffic resources needed for an expected increase in traffic around the facility.

During the graduation ceremonies, westbound Lexington Boulevard will be closed from just west of the roundabout to Taborwood to prevent increased traffic in nearby neighborhoods.

Signage will be placed at Sweetwater and Lexington Boulevards alerting motorists of the closure and rerouting those attending graduation ceremonies to U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard.

The closures will not prohibit access to homes in the area. Those not participating in the event are encouraged to avoid the area during graduation weekend.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our new facility to the community and help provide a memorable occasion during this very special time," said May. "We are committed to partnering with Fort Bend ISD and the Smart Financial Centre to provide resources necessary to provide a memorable event for families throughout our region. The lessons learned from this new event and others we've held during the venue's brief history will help us improve in the future."

Those participating in the event and other motorists are asked to be patient and pay attention to event signage. Should Fort Bend ISD experience scheduling delays, there may be traffic in the immediate area of the venue late into the night.

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