Cajuns get 'super' discount on turf from 'Dome. University takes first step for new indoor practice facility.
Concrete evidence - 11 tractor trailer rigs of it - rolled into Lafayette on Wednesday to remind athletes and fans that Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun athletic teams will soon have an indoor practice facility.
The caravan of rigs, furnished by Ace Transportation Inc. of Lafayette, carried roll after roll of field turf that will be used for the playing field inside the new facility.
That turf, which was purchased from the Louisiana Superdome for $30,000, will be stored in a barn behind Blackham Coliseum until the facility is near completion.
"The Superdome had a three-year agreement with the company that makes the turf," said Gerald Hebert, UL's Athletic Development coordinator. "When that agreement was up, they wanted to sell it and we had the money.
"Tulane backed out of buying it, and the City of New Orleans couldn't come up with the money, which for them would have included around $200,000 in installation. Normally, the turf sells for over $400,000.
"All I care about is that we got it right away. We wanted a bird in hand. There was another turf that's going to be available next year, but we didn't want to wait. It's exactly what we're in the market for. It's the best we could get."
Hebert and UL began negotiations with the Superdome when they found out the turf would be available, and the deal was closed with new Superdome Director Glen Menard, a UL graduate.
Ground will be broken for the new practice facility in November, immediately after the Cajuns conclude their 2005 football season, with approximately six months needed to complete the project.
Bids go out in August for the facility with $3.6 million currently budgeted for its construction.
"It depends on how the bids come in," Hebert said. "We'll decide then what to add and subtract."
The rest of the story
Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com