WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY…WE LOVE OUR SPORT…WE NEED A FIELD!
The impact of Hurricane Katrina may be a distant memory for many, but for the residents of the 9th Ward the recovery is slow, it is painful, and it is ongoing. One can still drive full blocks without seeing a single home, and a large portion of the community has still not returned since the storm.
BUT WE STILL BELIEVE.
We believe that this community is worth fighting for. We believe that traditions, history and heritage are worth preserving. And yes, we believe in the power of athletics to bring people together, to build character, to instill teamwork and discipline, and to help rise above many of the obstacles that keep our citizens from achieving their full potential.
AND WE LOVE OUR FOOTBALL.
In many ways, the sport’s most celebrated qualities - teamwork, tenacity, resilience – mirror those of our City. Many locals recall with pride the homegrown athletes who have gone on to national recognition: Reggie Wayne, Marshall Faulk, Odell Beckham Jr, Leonard Fournette, Tyrann Mathieu, and countless others. And it is not simply the games themselves that elicit such civic pride. It is the tailgates, the rivalries, the traditions, and the collective memories that in some cases go back generations.
As of today, there is no public football/track and field/soccer athletic venue in the Ninth Ward. No field for the public high schools that call the 9th Ward home. The community needs a facility of its own.
Our vision is of a new football/track and field/soccer stadium, serving all the public schools throughout the eastern part of New Orleans, and celebrating the rich traditions and heritage of New Orleans and the 9th Ward.
It will be a place for community, culture, and civic pride – a place residents can call home.
And the time is NOW to make this vision a reality!
We need your help!
The new 9th Ward Stadium project has already begun to take shape. As mentioned in our FAQs, the total project cost for the project at this time is $12M. 9th Ward Stadium Board has raised $10M through the Federal Earmark Program, State Capital Outlay, and New Orleans City Council.
The leadership team is currently raising the remaining dollars through private fundraising. Additionally, there will be opportunities for naming rights for both the stadium as well as the field, for any organizations or individuals inclined to contribute.
If you are interested in contributing to our cause, please read the FAQs here on our website, and consider donating to our project by contacting Gillian Stagg at gstagg@nocci.com/504-888-7608 or via the following link:
Join us!
9th Ward Stadium, Inc., is a 501c3 and has its ten Board of Directors who believe passionately in the new project: Arnie FIelkow, Ann Duplessis, Wilbert Thomas, Sr., Stacy Martin, Roy Glapion, Deuce McAllister, Bobby Garon, Mark Ripple, Austin Badon, Darryl Berger, and Bill Hines. All leaders are lending their time, energy, and talent completely pro-bono, with the goal of making this project a success. Watch a short video featuring some of these voices and their passion for this project.
Our Vision
The new facility will include an artificial turf football field, an 8-lane track with field events included, a grandstand seating 3,000 - 5,000 spectators plus a pressbox and scoreboard, restrooms, concessions and ticketing, parking and site amenities. While the facility will serve as the anchor home for George Washington Carver High School, it will be open for use to all public high schools and middle schools, with special emphasis on serving the eastern part of the city. The new facility will be under the governance of New Orleans Public Schools (NOPS), who will initiate a formal solicitation request for a qualified facility management company with proven experience in the operation and maintenance of sports facilities.
Project site
Stadium Plan
