New sports and educational complex in the works in Avoyelles Parish

BUNKIE, La. (KALB) – With 15 million dollars secured for District 28’s roads and infrastructure, State Representative Daryl Deshotel’s (R-District 28) next project is to turn the Picard Educational and Recreational Center in Bunkie into the Avoyelles Parish Educational and Sports Complex.

Currently through the Office of Juvenile Justice, the 160-acre campus can hold youth groups, business and professional associations and faith-based organizations.

“Avoyelles is an agricultural community, that’s the driver of our economy, and it’s time that we look outside of agriculture and see if there’s some other things,” said Deshotel. “I think this is a great opportunity to bring people from all over the state to visit our parish. It’s going to be good for not only our local residents and our local kids, but it’s also good for our tax base.”

Deshotel was joined by Louisiana House Speaker Phillip Devillier (R-District 41) as he traveled around the state to visit with state representatives and see what their priorities are.

“It’s going to be very helpful when we go back to Baton Rouge to draft policy around every individual member’s priorities and make sure that we’re working together to bring everyone together in the state and just see what we can do to move Louisiana forward,” he said.

After gaining funding for the sports complex, Deshotel said the facility will be utilized for more than just athletics.

“We’re planning on doing an educational component to this complex,” he said. “We’ll be able to do after-school tutoring. We’ll be able to do different classes. It’s going to be more of a community-based facility, not just a sports recreational complex. We’ll be able to do health screenings here. We’re going to have a digital library here.”

Deshotel said they are waiting for a finalized plan and expects to have that ready for bid in the first quarter of 2025.

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