Facelift for UL facilities under way

Facelift for UL facilities under way

Facelift for UL facilities under way

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • November 26, 2009

UL baseball coach Tony Robichaux admitted that it was difficult to watch the grass being removed a few weeks ago at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.

It helped that Robichaux knew the move would be well-worth the heartache in the long run as it signified the start of the next round of facility upgrades for Ragin’ Cajun athletics.

UL expects to have new turf, from ProGrass Synthetic Turf Systems, installed at Moore Field by the second week of January, weather permitting. That’s the same company that the school used to install the new turf at Cajun Field in the summer of 2008.The total project, which also includes the installation of an underground drainage system and leveling of the field, is estimated to cost approximately $700,000, according to UL athletic director David Walker.

Robichaux says the in-vestment being made in the Cajun baseball program is priceless. The school’s athletic Web site, www.ragincajuns.com, has a live webcam following the progress at the field."It’s good for the players and the coaches because you’re not just telling them about something that might happen," Robichaux said.

"They get to really see it. It’s an investment in the program, the players and the coaches."Recruits can get on our Web site and see all of the work being done on the field, and that’s good for us, too."The timing for this project has worked out for the Cajuns, who ended fall practice with the 15th Annual Fall World Series on Nov. 1. Less than two weeks later, the upgrades began at Moore Field.The Cajuns will get plenty of opportunities to use the new turf this upcoming season with 33 of their 55 games being played at Moore Field — the most home games for the program since 2005. That includes 15 of the first 17 games at home, starting with their season opener against Nicholls State on Feb. 19.

UL’s softball facility will also be upgraded in the near future. Lamson Park’s locker room, coaches offices, seating area, concession stands, restroom facility and press box will be renovated with an estimated cost of approximately $2.35 million.

That project — which would double the seating capacity to 3,000 from 1,500, with a portion of it covered — is expected to take 315 days.

According to Walker, a company has been selected for the design and construction of the softball project. Final approval on the project will be requested of the UL System Board of Supervisors for approval at their next meeting Dec. 4.The Cajuns open the 2010 season at home Feb. 12 against Bryant University in the 24th Annual Lou-isiana Classics.

"We’re hoping to start soon after the board gives us approval," Walker said. "What we would do is relocate seating to the outfield area so they can start the construction, which will include tearing down the present seating and concession areas. That will allow them to continue the project as the season goes on."In a separate project, softball’s old scoreboard has been taken down and will be replaced with a new $100,000 state-of-the-art video scoreboard that has already been purchased.

UL’s track and soccer complex is also in need of improvements. The facility is currently home to seven Cajun athletic teams — soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track and men’s and women’s outdoor track.Proposals have been received from architects to design that new facility and are being reviewed. A meeting to select an architect is set for next week. Once an architect is picked, the project will be designed and likely go to bid for construction in the spring.

That project will cost approximately $1.5 million, although the timetable for its completion is unknown until the design plans are finalized.In women’s basketball, the process of sanding down and refinishing the court at Earl K. Long Gym is expected to be finished by next week.

A new roof and new windows will be added to Long Gym soon.Upgrades similar to those to be done with softball are expected in the near future for baseball. Meetings with potential designers are likely to start in the spring.

There are also future plans for renovations of Cajun Field, but the school wants to complete those other projects first.It’s a long wish list, but Walker is excited about what the future holds for UL athletics.

"The goal over time is to update all of our athletic facilities," Walker said.

"We’re finally seeing the results of some of our plans. Hopefully, people are starting to see everything we’re trying to do."