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City Park Conservancy (CPC), in partnership with the New Orleans Saints, began work over the weekend to make needed upgrades to Pan American Stadium where hundreds of student and adult athletes compete each year.
Last week, CPC and the City Park Improvement Association (CPIA) approved the renovation plan at their board meetings. The total renovation, which will be completed in three phases, is expected to cost $3.1 million and will be funded through a variety of sources including a turf donation from the New Orleans Saints, FEMA funding and private donors.
Phase I renovations include replacement of the deteriorating turf with a synthetic turf donated by the New Orleans Saints, plus the installation of new goal posts and netting, a new PA system and scoreboard. In addition to these improvements, equipment and training will be provided to ensure proper facility maintenance. Anticipated completion is before the 2024 High School fall football season, which begins September 5, 2024.
“Pan American Stadium serves more than 30 high school, professional, and community football, soccer, lacrosse and rugby programs in the New Orleans area, providing a safe place for people of all ages to build and benefit from the skills gained through participation in sports,” said Rebecca Dietz, President and CEO of CPC. “This generous gift from the Saints not only improves the quality of the field that thousands of student and adult athletes will play on, but it is also the catalyst for the entire Pan Am renovation project, which will modernize and refurbish this important New Orleans institution.”
Built in 1973, the last substantial renovations to Pan Am Stadium were completed in 2008. The stadium seats about 4,500 and can accommodate up to 5,000 people in general admission.
“Pan Am Stadium is home to many sports teams in our community, where kids have the opportunity to play and compete. My thanks to City Park leadership and to the Saints for this project, which will undoubtedly elevate the game-day experience and contribute to an exciting sports culture for our youth,” said Senator Jimmy Harris, Louisiana’s 4th Senate District.
Phase II will see new stadium lighting funded by FEMA due to impact from Hurricane Ida in 2021. Work on this phase begins in 2025, with the completion set for spring of 2025.
“Thanks to this partnership between CPC and the Saints, kids will have the opportunity to compete on a vastly improved surface. Saints fans remember what happened on that turf, and now locals will be making new memories in City Park,” said Joe Giarrusso, District A Councilmember and CPIA Commissioner. “City Park deserves to host world-class facilities and events, and this is a step towards those efforts.”
The stadium is also home to the New Orleans Jesters, a National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team, and multiple adult Hispanic leagues who play weekly including Islanos and Veterans Soccer.
“Pan American Stadium’s diverse and frequent uses make it such an important part of the recreational activity of many, many thousands of athletes and spectators each year,” said Eugene Green, District D City Councilmember and CPIA Commissioner. “The stadium renovations are greatly welcomed, so appreciated, and are overdue. I extend a special ‘Thank You!’ to both Mrs. Gayle Benson and the New Orleans Saints for the tremendous donation of the truly needed turf. Thank you also to the staff of the CPIA and the City Park Conservancy for the preparation of and follow up on the package resulting in funding by FEMA and private sources of the truly impactful renovations. This is how victory looks!”
Phase III of the renovation, where CPC is currently seeking additional funding from private donors, will address bleacher repairs, locker-room and bathroom renovations, press box and door repairs throughout the stadium and parking improvements.
The Pan American Stadium renovation will improve the experience of both student-athletes and spectators, alike, providing critical recreational services for the region and eliciting special memories for the entire community.
“City Park stadiums host numerous athletic events in this community,” said Stephanie Hilferty, Louisiana State Representative District 94. “I’m delighted that the 11 high schools that call Pan Am their home field will benefit from these improvements. And I’m excited to see these updates help provide a return on investment to the community.”