McKinney (TX) HS $62.8 Mil Stadium

[Dawgpix]

I certainly hope they do. Having the complex is just the first battle. Winning the votes down south would be the next . . . . remember the basketball tourneys?

[PawDawg]

Hey, I want complexes up here like the next guy . . . . 5 years ago. I've experienced the baseball travel scene now for six years. I'll venture to say travel soccer may have to support this complex more than baseball. Again, why travel to our region when you can compete almost WEEKLY in your region and sleep in your own bed and not travel? THAT is what these complexes in Ruston, Vidalia, Monroe, Sterlington must overcome. Opening a facility for 3-4 weeks a year is not very effective. Now if you want a super local league facility knock yourself out. The visitors bureau has a battle, though.

This will be a turf facility like the one in Sulpher. Vidalia, Monroe, and Minden can't handle what Sulpher and Ruston will be able to handle. Even Flowood can't handle the number of teams they are planning for in Ruston.

[Dawgpix]

Monroe is planning a turf complex, just like Youngsville/Lafayette.

[PawDawg]

Monroe is planning a turf complex, just like Youngsville/Lafayette.

That should go well. South 165 will be great.

[JuBru]

I'm guessing that is what all that busy stuff is at the old Ruston airport location?

[eagle2180]

I'm guessing that is what all that busy stuff is at the old Ruston airport location?

No, that is monster moto, they manufacture kids atv's and dirt bikes.

[HogDawg]

We shall see.

I don't believe our demographics will support more travel teams in the area. A better model, IMO, are weekend teams tied to local league ball. Dixie open tournaments have worked well, but they lack facilities.

Actually, I think Ruston would be a great location for a large recreation complex to host tournament "travel" baseball/soccer/softball games, etc... Ruston has one thing a lot of other places don't have: Easy Access! Because it's right in the middle of north central La and right on I-20, it would be a great place for "East vs West" matchups between teams from Miss, Ala, Ark and Texas.

Ruston could host a "4-state" tournament championships every year, with teams competing from ARK, LA, MS & TX. People would love that. There's just something about a team from one state playing a team from another state that takes it up a notch.

Wow. Somebody should have thought of this a long time ago. Gonna need a lot more hotels though.

[PawDawg]

Wow. Somebody should have thought of this a long time ago. Gonna need a lot more hotels though.

People did think of it long ago, but it took a true blue LaTech Mayor of Ruston like Ronny Walker to get 'em off their ass.

Hotels/Motels are being built as fast as possible in Lincoln and West Ouachita. Strange than none are being built in Grambling and South Monroe. Reckon why?

[Dixonfor6]

Who needs a recreation complex when there's muddy bottoms ?

[PawDawg]

Who needs a recreation complex when there's muddy bottoms ?

Sound like fun!

[Cool Hand Clyde]

People did think of it long ago, but it took a true blue LaTech Mayor of Ruston like Ronny Walker to get 'em off their ass.

who is a Mississippi State alum. I wish I could vote for him!

[PawDawg]

who is a Mississippi State alum. I wish I could vote for him!

I did not know that. He has always been a great friend to Ruston and LaTech.