NEW ORLEANS — If you’ve driven down Wisner Boulevard through New Orleans City Park lately, you’ve probably noticed a lot of work happening at Pan American Stadium.
The park and New Orleans Saints are making needed improvements to the facility where hundreds of student and adult athletes compete each year.
The park’s athletic director Aubrey Champion says crews are now working on phase one of a $3.1-million facelift at Pan-Am.
“It’s the turf, the scoreboard, the goal posts and we’re also adding a new sound system,” Champion said.
Crews have already taken up the old turf and started installing the synthetic playing surface used by the Saints last year in the Caesar’s Superdome.
Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson says it’s important for her organization to support youth sports.
“We try to help everyone in the community, and we had the opportunity to do this, and we were so happy that they asked us and that we were able to help them,” Benson said.
“These high school athletes are getting a chance to play on the same turf the NFL players have played on,” Champion said. “I think Patrick Mahomes played on it last year. It’s awesome.”
Mrs. Benson says she can’t wait to see the stadium when it’s completed.
“Every time I see something that we’ve supported in the community, it just humbles me so much because I know we’re making such an impact on this community.”
City Park officials say the new and improved Pan American will be put to good use.
“We have easily 30 groups,” Champion said. “We have the New Orleans Jesters, a minor league soccer team. We had a quidditch match out here a few weeks ago. Then, there’s a lot of adult youth leagues that come out here every night and play soccer, play kickball, play flag football.”
The new Pan-Am playing surface is expected to be installed in time for high school football in September.
Phase two, upgrading and replacing lighting is expected to begin after football season.
Work on phase three which includes renovating bathrooms, locker rooms, and the press box has yet to be scheduled.
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