DGS Readies For Football
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
The finishing touches are still incomplete, but the $8 million Donald Gardner Stadium renovation that began in February, was introduced Wednesday night as a project that can eventually revitalize a city in need of a socio-economic lift.
St. Landry Parish and City of Opelousas elected and economic officials who gathered underneath the stadium as they dodged a rain shower, were told that the stadium remake could perhaps assist with municipal population loss and help energize a city searching for ways to engage its youthful residents..
“If we can build it, then they will stay here,” said Opelousas Downtown Development District chairperson Lena Charles, who addressed the crowd who were allowed to walk underneath the new LED field lighting that highlighted a new artificial turf.
Charles described the stadium facelift as an initial step for an overall South City Park master plan that includes a $4.3 million community center as well as other potential recreational attractions such as baseball and softball.
An eight-lane track which encircles the football and soccer field, won’t be completed until at least January, Charles said.
The stadium, which begins hosting high school football games later this week, is receiving financial assistance from an array of local banks, who agreed to help finance the revenue bonds that are needed to pay for the project., Charles pointed out.
District 40 State Representative Dustin Miller, who assisted with steering the stadium refurbishing into a reality, said he was at times unsure that the stadium renovation would ever begin.
“But everyone stepped up. It’s the biggest investment in kids that we have ever seen here,” Miller said.
Miller also described the community center which at this point is scheduled to face the South Market Street that runs through the park, as another pivotal attempt to host other recreational activities.
“We’re not stopping. We’re bringing momentum. I truly feel we are on the right side of history when we are investing in our kids,” Miller said.
Although the parish government has issued a burn ban, Miller said fireworks displays are set for both Opelousas Catholic and Opelousas High football games which are scheduled to be played Thursday and Friday at Donald Gardner.
Mayor Julius Alsandor said Donald Gardner now has the best playing surface in the state.
Paris president Jessie Bellard added that the stadium refurbishing is being accomplished through a partnership with city and state elected officials.
“What you see here is what happens when the city and parish pull in the same direction. We are investing in our youth in every part of the parish,” Bellard said.
Workers were still adding squares of sod to the dirt areas still remaining adjacent to the entrances to the stadium as the event continued,
Spectators who park vehicles away from the paved parking lot area, can expect to encounter dirt-covered surfaces.
The ticket booth and entrance to the stadium is now located behind the home grandstands, while a combined brick concession and restroom facility stands before the entrance gate.
Parks and Recreation Director Chris Rideau said overall stadium parking has been expanded and will accommodate about 135 vehicles, which more than doubles the original number of parking spaces.
