NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today was joined by the City of New Orleans Capital Projects Administration Director Vincent Smith, New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission Chief Executive Officer Larry Barabino, Jr., NORD Commission Chairman Theo Sanders III, District C Councilmember Freddie King III and President of the Algiers Riverview Association Alex Selico-Dunn to celebrate the groundbreaking of $4.9 million in repairs to the Skelly Rupp Stadium in the Behrman neighborhood.
“We are bringing Skelly Rupp back better than ever before, and like NORD says, providing something for everyone,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “This project is funded by FEMA, our federal partners and with City bonds. I again want to thank the public for approving the historic bond sale of $500 million in November 2019, which has allowed us to utilize available resources to fill in gaps to get more of what we know our community wants done. This is a testament to how we continue to leverage all resources coming our way.”
“This is a very special day for the people of Algiers and the entire city,” said Councilmember King. “We have two universities that have baseball programs that will now have a place to practice and a place to host home games so kids that look like them can watch them play. Our first T-Ball season just ended with over 100 participants. How fitting is it to stand here and break ground on a state-of-the-art baseball stadium? I want to thank the Mayor for being steadfast in fulfilling a promise to this community.”
The scope of work includes the repair of damages dating back to Hurricane Katrina that will bring the stadium back into commerce for competitive youth games managed by NORD. Repairs will also be completed on the manager’s offices, stadium and dugouts. Upgrades to the restrooms, concession stand and press box will include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant renovations. Improvements also include upgrades to the scoreboard, bullpens and batting cages, and the existing natural turf infield will be converted to an artificial turf field. Funding sources for the project include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), City bonds and Hurricane Katrina Insurance dollars.
“This is an exciting day,” said Barabino, Jr. “Skelly Rupp is the only public baseball stadium located on the Westbank of New Orleans and was the only stadium operational in the city after Hurricane Katrina. This project is well past due! Baseball is growing and coming back, and the completion of this project will allow us to continue to expand this program. NORD will be able to continue to grow baseball and softball in Algiers and give high schools and universities across our city an opportunity to have home games and give youth a chance to see athletes that look like them on the collegiate level.”
“The vision of Capital Projects is to deliver the Capital program and to improve the quality of life for the citizens of New Orleans,” said Smith. “This is our contribution to improving the city and it is always an honor when we break ground and cut ribbons on projects that benefit the community.”
“This was a long, long time coming, and is a big event because baseball is a big deal in this city,” said Selico-Dunn. “I am hoping that the opening of the stadium becomes a catalyst to bring back what we lost which is baseball at every park and playground. This is what we call the field of dreams. The residents of this community have been working for a long time behind the scenes to make this happen. Thank you, Mayor Cantrell and Councilmember King, and let’s hope that this is just the beginning for Algiers and for the entire city.”
The City of New Orleans Capital Projects Administration has invested more than $83 million in District C under the Cantrell Administration. Completed projects include:
- $1.8 million – Algiers Courthouse Repairs
- $1.3 million – Brechtel Memorial Park Improvements (Lagoon Repairs/Improvements)
- $579,727- Bodenger Playground Improvements
- $125,281 – Collins Park Walking Path
- $82,857 – Huff Park Walking Path
- $176,321 – Lambert Park Walking Path and Field Regrade
- $781,098 – Norman Playground – Play Equipment Installations
###