Many Shreveporters have fond memories of eating ice cream out of miniature baseball helmets and watching the Shreveport Captains play at Fairgrounds Field. Unfortunately, it's been 17 years since the Captains or the Swamp Dragons played at the Fairgrounds. Baseball stadiums have a life expectancy, and Fairgrounds Field has surpassed its time. For example, since Fairgrounds Field opened its doors in 1986, the Atlanta Braves have called three different stadiums home.
Private organizations have reached out to the City over the years about Fairgrounds Field. The structural and cosmetic improvements required to get Fairgrounds Field game ready and operational make the venue cost-prohibitive for potential investors.
The property would be more attractive to investors as a blank canvas or an empty lot that enable them to build a new structure to meet their needs.
Fairgrounds Field is also highly visible from I-20, and the abandoned structure is hardly a symbol of economic opportunity welcoming I-20 travelers. Additionally, demolition would allow the City to discontinue perimeter maintenance, like painting the fences and cutting the grass, that cost the city money.
While it will be sad to see this memory go, it is time to say goodbye to Fairgrounds Field.
