What’s Next for Fairgrounds Field Site: Caddo Career Center?

The much ballyhooed demolition of the beloved Fairgrounds Field is almost complete, so the next question would naturally be: "What's next?"

When asked on Wednesday about what's in store for the Fairgrounds Field site, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux told KEEL News:

We're trying to determine whether we will go out with Request for Concepts or Request for Proposals.  There actually is some interest on the part of the School Board.

When pressed further about that Caddo Parish School Board interest, Mayor Arceneaux referred questions to District 4 Caddo Parish School Board member Don Little.

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KEEL News then reached out to Don Little who sent the following statement to us.

Don Little. CPSB Dist 4, Chairman Building and Grounds Committee 

The Case for a New Public School Career and Technology Center

While our current programs have made progress, a new well-designed public school CTE center would dramatically expand opportunities for Shreveport students. A centralized facility could house state-of-the-art equipment and labs for advanced training in fields like welding, robotics, automotive, healthcare, aerospace technology, and architecture/construction—resources that individual high schools often lack.

This new center would allow for greater collaboration between local industries and educators, ensuring that training aligns with workforce demands. By consolidating resources, the center could offer a broader range of courses and specialized certifications that smaller programs cannot accommodate.

Recognizing this need, the Caddo Parish School Board took a major step forward in August 2024 by unanimously passing a resolution committing itself to construct a world-class career and technical education center. To make this vision a reality, the board has escrowed $40 million for new construction, laying the financial foundation for a state-of-the-art CTE facility.

As George Washington Carver once said, “Education is the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom.” This new center will embody that vision, giving Shreveport’s youth the skills and opportunities they need to break cycles of poverty and unlock brighter futures.

Why Fairgrounds Field is the Ideal Location

Fairgrounds Field, located near the heart of Shreveport, offers a prime location for the new CTE center. As a once-vibrant site that has fallen into disuse, it represents an opportunity for revitalization that benefits both the community and local students. The fairgrounds’ central location ensures accessibility for students from all parts of the city, including underserved neighborhoods where access to quality educational facilities is often limited.

Additionally, the site is spacious and well-positioned near major roadways, making it convenient for partnerships with local businesses and industries. Its proximity to Southern University, Centenary College, and other community resources such as Willis Knighton, BRF, LSU Health Shreveport, and Ochsner fosters collaboration, internships, and dual-enrollment opportunities. Transforming Fairgrounds Field into a CTE center would also signal a commitment to repurposing unused spaces in ways that directly benefit the city’s residents.

With the financial backing of the Caddo Parish School Board and a vision for equitable education, revitalizing Fairgrounds Field as a hub for career and technical education would bring life to an underutilized area, attract economic activity, and serve as a visible symbol of Shreveport’s investment in its future. This location provides the ideal foundation for a project that prepares young people for success, supports workforce development, and strengthens the local economy.

Little also said:

We don't have a formal plan or agreement. I've simply tried to get an audience with Mayor (Arceneaux) regarding the property.

 

KEEL News also reached out to Caddo Parish School Board Superintendent Keith Burton, who told us.

One board member is interested in the property for a possible site for a new Career Center. There isn't a big interest from others.