Caddo Parish Leaders Propose $70 Million Sports Facility

Erin McCarty 710KEEL.com
 
Caddo Parish leaders are in the early stages of discussing a proposed multi-sports complex that could attract sports tourism to the region. Parish Administrator Erica Bryant outlined the plan during an Economic Development meeting earlier this month.
 
Why a Sports Complex Is a Good Idea

Bryant says a study on sports tourism (which is close to being complete) shows the Shreveport area is a prime location for this kind of complex. She says it could attract not only regional events, but national ones as well.
 
How Much Would the Sports Facility Cost?

Bryant tells KEEL News the projected cost of this complex would be $60-70 million dollars. Most of the funding would come from issuing General Obligation Bonds. Bryant says this could drive economic development in the area. She says retail and hotels and other developments would likely be a part of this complex.
 
She says "we are doing this because citizens of Caddo Parish want something in their community and we want to use our tax dollars for things that bring quality of life to this region."
 
What Will Sports Complex Include?

It would be 174,000 square feet with 80,000 square feet of indoor space. The indoor portion would include 10 basketball courts, 20 volleyball courts, pickleball courts and much more. Bryant says we would also be able to host many other events like wrestling, cheerleading and many other sports. She also says the complex would include an area to host gaming competitions.
 
There would also be business rooms, lease space for meetings and gatherings and a game center for those who are waiting to participate in tournaments and events.
 
Bryant says the funding for this complex would come from general obligation bonds that would have to be approved by the voters. Bryant says the clock is ticking to get this on the November ballot. She told the committee this kind of complex could generate 4 million dollars a year in direct revenue to the parish. But she says the indirect revenue could be as high as 20 million dollar a year in economic development to the entire region.
 
Where Would the Sports Complex Be Built?

The parish does not own the land yet but will actively be looking for property along the I-20 and 3132 corridor. Bryant also told KEEL somewhere along I-20 in the Greenwood area would also be a possible option.
 
She hopes to lock down a possible site in the next month or two.
 
Bryant says this kind of complex will attract hotels, restaurants, retail and much more. She says this will be a significant development and bring growth and quality of life to our community.
 
When Would Voters Be Asked to Approve this Plan?

Bryant anticipates asking the voters in November to approve 42 million dollars in general obligation bonds for this sports complex. She says this will not increase taxes on citizens of Caddo Parish. The rest of the money would come from several self-generating monies. That would include naming rights at the complex which would include all of the activity areas. Bryant wants to get this plan on the November 3 ballot. If it's approved, she hopes to break ground sometime in 2027. Construction on the complex is expected to take 18 months to 2 years.