Interesting decision on the location.
Louisiana’s master plan called for a basketball practice facility at this location. Will UL basketball or volleyball teams use this space for practice, coaches offices, and training?
Lafayette tourism officials are advancing plans for a new 150,000-square-foot indoor sports complex. Officials are looking for it to go up in the Cajun Field parking lot near the Cajundome. The new sports complex aims to feature 10 basketball courts and 20 volleyball courts. It is expected to draw an estimated 140,000 visitors annually, enhancing Lafayette’s competitive edge against nearby cities.
Hopefully this means more much needed hotels around the athletic complex with walking distance to Cajun Field will come along with maybe some bars and restaurants. There is really nothing within walking distance right now and it is much needed.
More reason why it doesn’t make sense to build the national guard facility in this area.
Exactly it would be much better to build it out in Scott or Duson
Can someone explain how a giant building with 10 basketball courts will draw 140k tourists?
Im assuming they plan to host a bunch of travel basketball tournaments..?
We really are trading the only asset we have left (land and square footage) for cash to try and dig out of this hole, aren’t we?
AAU basketball and travel Volleyball probably has over 1000 teams in a 6 hour radius. Tournaments are a huge draw . Elfed Payton has the best AAU team in the state so he definitely will want to set up tournaments here.
I know I probably sound like an old man shaking his fist at traffic, but its a pretty dumb idea to throw a building twice the size of the Moncla practice facility in front your new stadium and essentially making it the first thing you see when you arrive for football gameday in public parking
I dont think it will be terrible if they match the brick exterior. If its just a giant tin building then yeah going to be an eye sore
Going to block the view of the stadium as well from the only hotel we got near Cajun Field.
Id imagine a parking garage having to be built in the future soon to accomodate this.
The question that needs to be asked is how much compensation UL is receiving for both this facility and the National Guard facility.
From the article: “UL, the landowner for the proposed complex, is reportedly open to offering a favorable lease to LCVC, paving the way for the project to move forward.”
Like I said.. between this and the National Guard deal, it definitely feels like we’re selling real estate for pennies on the dollar to try and claw out of debt
Wonder if this is one of those favorable lease agreements like Lafayette Central Park, Inc. (Moncus Park) received when leasing the Horse Farm from LCG.
2013 06 18 Lease Agreement - Rent.pdf (127.7 KB)
Travel volleyball brings a ton of people. My friends who have daughters that play regularly travel to Texas, Alabama, & Florida. Lafayette being in the center of the travel volleyball world, this will bring in lots of money if used properly.
The University should build multipurpose student housing with commercial space on the bottom floors. Develop and entertainment district around the athletic complex. Outsource the management of it and get a long term lease.
But our administration doesn’t understand the changing dynamics of society. Just force feeding students they/them ideologies.
Opportunties to develop land around the athletic complex were on the table and the Brain Trust in Martin Hall said no. I don’t know if those opportunities will return, especially when you consider the development hotspots in Lafayette Parish.
This project would actually make UL money… cant have that