City presents Saint Julian Park expansion with 24 pickleball courts, pro shop and veterans memorial

Architects and city engineers presented a high‑level plan to expand Saint Julian Park to the Broussard City Council on Jan. 29, 2025, showing a larger covered pickleball facility, added tennis courts, a pro shop with observation deck, new parking and a Veterans Memorial on a wooded ridge across the street.

The presentation described a larger sports complex aimed at hosting tournaments and generating revenue for the park, and asked the finance committee to vet project costs before a final budget is brought to council.

Architect Russell Trujant of Toronto Architecture and Planning described the project as an expansion from a small pro shop to a multi‑court complex driven by the growth of pickleball. "We have the number up to about 24 courts," he said, and described a covered championship area, viewing decks and lighting. He said the construction documents are "about 75 to 80%" complete but that the design and scope are still being adjusted to meet the city's budget.

Civil engineer Walter Como said site work will include approximately "3 to 4 feet of fill" at the play area. The plan calls for excavating a low, treed area across the street to become a pond; the design team intends to use the excavated dirt to raise the pad for the courts, saving on import costs. Como said the city has performed borings to test whether pond soils are suitable for reuse but results are still pending.

Architect Bridal Boudreau and a veterans committee member noted a separate Veterans Memorial will sit on a ridge adjacent to the proposed pond. The plan includes a walkway with darker paver areas intended for commemorative bricks to be sold as a fundraiser. A committee led by community members and veterans would assist fundraising and placement.

The pro shop and observation deck will include offices, storage and restrooms. Trujant said the concession space will be built into the facility but that a third party — Bon Ton Grill — is negotiating to bring equipment and furniture to operate concessions; the city will not supply concession equipment.

City staff and the design team asked the finance committee to take a deeper look at construction costs and possible scope adjustments before returning to council for final budgeting. The mayor said no action was required tonight and that the next step is committee review and then a future council vote when 100% plans and a budget are available.

Ending: The presentation was informational only; council directed staff to work with the finance committee and continue refining the design to meet budget constraints before formal action.