BROWN PARK BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SUPER COMPLEX CEREMONIAL GROUNDBREAKING

Construction paves the way for improved quality of life, economic and tourism benefits

Lafayette, LA – City and parish officials, community members, and business partners came together this morning to commemorate the start of Phase 1 of an exciting new project — the Brown Park Baseball and Softball Super Complex. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Brown Park on Park des Mouton Rd., where construction will begin this week.

This state-of-the-art complex, set to be one of the premier baseball and softball facilities in Lafayette Parish, will not only enhance the sports infrastructure, but also play a significant role in putting Lafayette and surrounding municipalities in Lafayette Parish on the map for competitive tournaments. “Can you imagine national tournaments coming to our parish, regional tournaments coming to our parish? This not only helps quality of life here locally, but also it helps retail sales, it helps our economy, and helps our motel and hotel industry. This is a huge win for our community,” Mayor-President Josh Guillory said. 

Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Culture (PARC) Director Hollis Conway is also thrilled about the revamped park. With a strong dedication to providing exceptional recreational facilities for the Lafayette community, he said, this upgraded park promises to offer a first-class experience for young athletes. “The new Brown Park will give our city, especially the northside where revitalization is needed, something to be proud of. I’m especially excited about our kids having access to a first-rate park.”

The newly improved youth baseball and softball park will not only enhance the sporting experience for athletes but also contribute to the growth and development of the community. The youth sports market is Lafayette’s fastest growing market, filling up nearly 40,000 hotel room nights a year, Lafayette Travel President and CEO Ben Berthelot said. “It’ll be our job now to see how we grow from 30 to 40-team tournaments to 100-team tournaments, and this facility will open the door for that possibility.”

Councilman Pat Lewis, who represents the district where Brown Park is located, expressed his appreciation to fellow councilmembers for supporting the project and to community members for their enthusiasm and involvement. “We probably had about three or four meetings about this park. It’s not just the administration and council that made this happen. It’s the community involvement. It’s an all-around effort.”

The Brown Park Baseball and Softball Super Complex is designed with the latest facilities and amenities, catering to both players and spectators. When the total project is completed, the complex will feature 8 improved fields. Phase 1 includes four improved fields, modern dugouts, low-glare, efficient LED lighting, new food and beverage facilities, larger spectator areas with shade, a playground, and a pavilion.

The walking track and dog park will remain open during construction but could be modified to accommodate construction. Demolition of the park will begin soon, and the estimated completion date is December 2024.

J.B. Mouton is the general contractor and ACSW Architects is serving as the project architect.