Leonard E Merrell Center

This is a nice convention type center located right near Katy High School, which was great for me since this was the location of my son’s graduation 6÷7÷2015. Everything inside the center was ok, the seating is a little on the small side, but fine for shorter performances. I will have to say that the parking was not so good. I had to park in the student lot of the high school which is a short distance away, however I was carrying a small child in the hot sun… suffice it to say I was miserable. I did notice they had employees driving golf carts to give patrons a ride, but I could not get anyone to stop and let me onto the vehicles, they looked and kept going :(

I have only been here for Graduation. My little cousin was graduating from high school and starting college soon!
This place is set up well, lots of parking, and even overflow parking
Once inside, there is lots of seating available for parents and family members. There isn’t any bad seats in the house so you can definitely see them strut their stuff across the stage!

Nice clean venue. Small enough to see your graduate’s face as they walk across the stage. But the parking is ridicolous! I wish they would have better engineered a better parking lot to allow better flow of traffic in and out. Even with traffic cops, I was in that parking lot longer than I was in the graduation. #crazy

What can you truly say about a facilities that has multiple uses for a community? This really well designed structure is an academic extension for the Katy ISD system, as well as host various events in the 145,000 square foot structure. The arena was specifically designed so you could customize various area sizes to fit whatever venue you need. There have been championship series played here, as well as tutoring sessions done here, so truly, if you have an event, unless your event is bigger than the space, they will be able to accommodate you.
Since its doors opened in the Spring of 2005, it has not been a burden to the people of Katy. Property tax generated by our own mall, Katy Mills Mall, is what is used to operate this structure. Remember this place the next time you have an event.