Mardi Gras at Cajun Field

[Turbine]

RV Show has moved to Evangeline Downs

In Opelousas?

No wonder I never heard of it.

Can that even be considered the same show?

[LouisianaB]

You’re trying to change the conversation.

No one should tell Mardi Gras to go somewhere else. What they should tell them is that Cajun Field rental price is going up. Way up.

Mardi Gras will pay it. The end.

Not sure it’s that simple. The festival is how the association pays for security along the parade route and all other expenses associated with parades. Just for security inside the festival is almost $150k. Think about what that cost is for the parade route.

Whether you like MG or not, I think most can agree it is a positive for the community insofar as it brings in money, offers entertainment, etc. If you start making it to where they can’t pay their bills, the city may loose the MG tradition it has built.

Food for thought. I don’t know how much revenue there is nor do I know all of the association’s expenses. I’m not completely convinced UL is getting a bad deal. But I’m also not convinced UL is getting a good deal. But I know it’s not as simple as “we need to raise the price now”

[ULvictory]

I suggest we require the purchase of a minimum number of football season tickets with the rental of the parking lot. Mardi Gras association would be required to purchase 200 family packs (5 tickets each) in addition to the rental price. Same thing with the car dealerships. The rental fees are not game changers for our program, getting fans into the stands should be the goal.

This is a good point.

The basis of this entire conversation is the fact that we have prime real estate in town and create no value to it with what we charge. We also don't utilize it enough for more events. If fans have to be inconvenienced during sporting events for other events that have absolutely nothing to do with the school, there should be a price to pay for that privilege.

[CajunStros]

UL just closed on the Lourdes property for 9MM. Get the Optimist club on the line, we got a new spot for their trees and apparently should lease it to them for free.

[Turbine]

The City pays Louisiana $500G for use of the Cajundome.

Now that the Cajundome has refused conventions that don't use concessions, how much overnight hotel and restaurant taxes is the Cajundome still generating for the city? The city loses millions annually because of the CD concessions roadblock.

How much tax money is MG generating for the city.

Seems like the city could pitch in with the MG association.

[olschoolballboy]

In Opelousas?

No wonder I never heard of it.

Can that even be considered the same show?

Yes in Opelousas. It is still advertised as the Acadiana RV Show. They will not have the same number of dealers. I know the dealership I work at is not going. The thought of customers having to drive past our lot just to go to the show was not appealing. The price for us to go would be about the same. That means the back parking lot of Evangeline Downs is getting roughly the same money as Cajun Field.

[Turbine]

Yes in Opelousas. It is still advertised as the Acadiana RV Show. They will not have the same number of dealers. I know the dealership I work at is not going. The thought of customers having to drive past our lot just to go to the show was not appealing. The price for us to go would be about the same. That means the back parking lot of Evangeline Downs is getting roughly the same money as Cajun Field.

I think your dealership is making the right choice.

Especially if you can come up with a reason for north bound show goers to make a pitt stop at your place.

ps or pull in disappointed show goers on their way home.

[lafman1]

An empty lot the very next week does not cheapen the value the week it is needed.

The value is set when both parties agree on a price.

[lafman1]

Are you suggesting they move the Christmas trees, equipment, etc just for Saturday and then bring them all back for each remaining home game? Come on man.

I’m suggesting the small area used to sell Christmas trees wasn’t a hindrance for parking during a football game, especially during the RCAF period.

[lafman1]

UL just closed on the Lourdes property for 9MM. Get the Optimist club on the line, we got a new spot for their trees and apparently should lease it to them for free.

I think the optimist club found another location. They don’t need CF to sell trees.

[Turbine]

An empty lot the very next week does not cheapen the value the week it is needed.

If you are going to adopt my stance ... Thanks

[CajunStros]

I’m suggesting the small area used to sell Christmas trees wasn’t a hindrance for parking during a football game, especially during the RCAF period.

It was, especially when the RCAF lots were formed. You need a tag to even get into the parking lot on game day. How do you control traffic with regards to people who want to go buy a tree? Furthermore the space it occupied (where the grass and pavement meet near the fence along congress was part of parking for the “C” lot. Which was the most used parking lot at the time. The arrangement at the time was not and is not feasible.