The Cajundome has been home to The top 28 for 13 years, but after next year the city will have to say farewell to one of it's biggest events.

Greg Davis, the Cajundome Director, said "we just were not able to offer our facility for free."

The Cajundome would have charged the high school athletic association forty-five thousand dollars to use the dome for the tournament------ Shreveport offered its facility for free.

Saint Thomas More basketball coach, Danny Broussard, said "I just think it's a sad day that Lafayette lost."

He says it doesn't matter if the facility is free.

"But what are they going to do for the teams when we are there, are they going to feed us, are they going to help us with hotel costs?” he said. “Those are things that Lafayette did, so yeah it looks good--their zero bid, but I want to see the bottom line when it's all said and done."

The whole week is a slam dunk in sales in local businesses, like the Hilton Garden Inn which is located right across the street from the Cajundome. The general manager, Cindy Breaux, says she's worried about the top 28 leaving town.

"Yeah I am a little worried, you know it would be wonderful if we could find another piece of business to replace this business,” she said. “But you know we've had top 28 for so many years that we've really relied on them coming back each year."

Breaux isn't the only person worried about how the move with effect business.
Betty Leger, Office Manager at Don's Seafood says the tournament has a great impact on the local restaurant economy.

"A lot of people do come here, yes, especially the last few days for the finals and semifinals," Leger said.

In the past, the week-long tournament has poured millions into Lafayette's economy....now the Cajundome is hoping to book a new event to help compensate for the loss of the Top 28.

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