Ruston’s $67M Sports Complex Raises Caddo Questions

Caddo Parish leaders are looking at a $70 million sports and events complex, and Ruston may now be the comparison voters understand best.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker told KEEL News on Tuesday that his city spent about $67 million total on its Ruston Sports Complex, with the outdoor portion opening in 2019 and the indoor facility finishing in 2021.

Ruston Built Big for $67 Million

According to Walker, Ruston’s project covers 184 acres and includes 17 baseball and softball fields, 9 tennis courts and 3 soccer fields. The indoor facility added 6 basketball courts that can be converted into 10 volleyball courts or 24 pickleball courts, along with space for other indoor events.

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That matters because the Caddo proposal is being discussed at roughly $70 million. Walker was careful not to pretend he knew every detail of Caddo’s plan, but he said Ruston’s complex could not be built for the same price today.

When asked what Ruston’s $67 million complex would cost now, Walker said it would probably be “a lot more” and possibly close to double.

What Ruston Says It Got Back

Walker said the project was not just built for tournaments. Ruston wanted better fields and courts for local kids during the week, while using weekends to attract travel sports visitors.

He said the city had five Airbnbs when the project started. Now, Walker says Ruston has more than 125. The city also added RV spots at the complex, new hotels and more hotel development on the way.

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Walker did not give a firm annual revenue number tied directly to the complex, but he said sales tax collections have generally gone up since it opened. He pointed to visitors spending money at hotels, restaurants, gas stations and downtown businesses.

Caddo Voters Need the Full Picture

The Ruston example does not automatically prove Caddo should build its own complex. It does, however, give Caddo voters a real Louisiana comparison.

Ruston built early, managed the complex itself and benefited from donated land. Those details matter. Caddo’s project would be built in a different market, at today’s prices, with different competition across the state.

Walker even admitted a Shreveport-area complex could hurt Ruston “a little bit,” simply because teams would have more places to go. Still, he said Ruston got out in front of the trend and has established itself.

That may be the real question for Caddo Parish: is this a chance to compete, or has the price of entry already changed?