JEFFERSON PARISH, La. ─ Jefferson Parish, a suburb of New Orleans, will soon be home to a new $21 million outdoor sports complex.
As reported by NOLA.com, work is beginning on the John Alario Jr. Sports Complex, which will include three multi-sport fields with artificial turf, a concession building, paved parking, restrooms, and bleachers. According to the article, the facility could open in the summer of 2024, with the possibility of adding six more fields and other amenities.
The complex is named after the retired Louisiana legislator who worked to secure state funds for the project.
NOLA.com reports the complex is not intended primarily for local residents, but to attract youth baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and rugby tournaments, for out-of-town teams. Alario told NOLA.com that this will create an economic spinoff for local hotels, restaurants, and other attractions.
“It’s sports economics,” he says.
The article states the sports complex has been in the works for almost a decade but has been delayed by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to local municipal leadership.
The State of Louisiana purchased nearly 90 acres of land for $3.1 million for the project, and then spent another $4.4 million clearing and preparing the site for construction.
According to the article, Duplantis Design Group of Thibodaux, La., designed the complex, and Ratcliff Construction of Alexandria, La., was awarded the tender to build the initial phase.
Once the first phase is built, Jefferson Parish will take over the management of the complex.
Jefferson Parish recreation director Mario Balize told NOLA.com the complex could be used in tandem with other local facilities to host large tournaments. He also believes if the complex generates enough revenue, it could help bolster the recreation department’s other programs.
