Board approves Broadmoor Middle redevelopment for eSports arena, gym and track; project tied to 2018 tax plan funding
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Summary
The board approved using the Broadmoor Middle site for a combined eSports arena and athletic facility. The 2018 tax plan earmarks $15 million for the site; staff estimated construction costs at about $11 million and said the full $15 million covers design, abatement and soft costs.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board approved a proposal to redevelop the Broadmoor Middle School site into a multipurpose facility combining scholastic eSports space with athletics facilities including a gymnasium and track.
Amy Jones of district staff presented the proposal, noting Broadmoor Middle was built in 1964 and has been closed to students since 2019. Jones said the “proposal is to transform that site into a versatile multipurpose venue designed to meet the needs of the district schools as well as the broader community.” The presentation said the 2018 tax plan allocates $15,000,000 for the Broadmoor site and staff estimated an approximate construction budget of $11,000,000 for the core building work; the remainder would cover designer fees, abatement and other soft costs.
Staff described the eSports program the district has been building: more than 50 schools now have labs, students run a student ambassador program and some competitors have received college scholarships tied to eSports. Amy Jones and athletics staff said a combined venue could host elementary athletics, middle school championships and regional meets, while offering community access for weekend and evening programming.
Public comment: A neighborhood resident who lives in Broadmoor supported the plan and called eSports “a great opportunity” for students to gain teamwork and workforce skills. Board members discussed community meetings held the previous Monday and emphasized using the site as both an athletic and community asset.
Board action: Board member Lanus moved to approve the plan; President Stewart seconded. The motion carried after a board vote. The board did not provide a detailed tally on the record. District staff said the tax‑plan language earmarks the funding for the Broadmoor site; if construction is completed and savings remain, the board must seek oversight‑committee approval to reallocate any excess to other projects.
What’s next: Staff will proceed to the design and engineering phases and refine cost estimates and bids. The scaled redevelopment plan includes an eSports arena, an indoor gym and outdoor track, and staff said community programming and partnerships (including sponsorships) would help offset equipment costs for eSports labs.
