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Fair Grounds Field Could be Demolished

Shreveport Captains

Shreveport, LA’s Fair Grounds Field, a former affiliated minor league and independent baseball home, could be demolished under a bond proposal that will go before voters in November.

Originally built in 1986, Fair Grounds Field opened as home of the Shreveport Captains (Class AA; Texas League). The franchise would later rebrand as the Swamp Dragons, before relocating to Frisco, TX following the 2002 season. Independent-league baseball would end up filling a void of professional baseball at the facility, but no professional team has used the ballpark since the Shreveport-Bossier Captains (independent; American Association) played their final season there in 2011.

Over the years since, Fair Grounds Field’s condition has gradually deteriorated and now a plan to demolish the ballpark is being floated. A $186-million bond proposal that will go before voters in November would include $1 million to demolish Fair Grounds Field, allowing the site to be reused for parking. Details of the plan were discussed at a community meeting Thursday night. More from the Shreveport Times:

SPAR director Shelly Ragle told those in attendance at a community meeting at Southern Hills recreation center on Thursday night that the stadium demolition is part of the bond proposal. Her mention of the $1 million project drew a negative reaction from several in attendance, but no one asked her a question about the stadium during the question-and-answer session.

The $1 million for demolition was not in the presentation before the City Council on Aug. 13. The proposal calls for the stadium to be demolished and turned into a parking lot.

“The councilman from that district …. decided that this was a great opportunity,” Ragle said.

The election is scheduled for November 16.

RELATED STORIES: Reevaluating Fair Grounds Field after 25 years

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