Opelousas breaks ground on $8 million renovation project at Donald Gardner Stadium

Long-awaited renovations are finally getting underway at Donald Gardner Stadium in Opelousas.

The groundbreaking took place on Wednesday, February 26, on the multi-million dollar project. It will enhance the facility for high school athletes and the community.

The historic stadium is getting a long overdue facelift. Officials said it will spark positive change throughout the city. Donald Gardner Stadium is getting close to an $8 million upgrade.

City workers have already started plowing away dirt and shoveling concrete and leaders said this is the start of something big.

“We are one city, we are one park, and our money’s gonna be spent here in the City of Opelousas,” said Mayor Julius Alsandor. “As much as we get, we are going to reinvest it there and I want Opelousans, those of the past and today and tomorrow to understand that any money that we get, we are going to invest back into the City of Opelousas.”

It’s been 60 years since the stadium has had significant upgrades and schools have been playing in muddy and possibly unsafe footing conditions every time there’s a hard rain.

With four football teams using Donald Gardner as their home field, officials said it’s time for a change. City workers are currently installing an all-turf field, replacing concrete, and laying down an eight-lane track.

“We travel, our kids go all over the state to play other schools, right; we don’t have turf,” said state Rep. Dustin Miller, D-District 4. “You see these facilities now being built with turf. So, we are at a disadvantage because our kids aren’t used to playing on turf. So, we are excited that our kids get to play and have their home facilities just like everyone else.”

Mayor Alsandor added the newly renovated stadium should be finished before the upcoming football season.