LEONARD GRAY

HAHNVILLE – With the future of the Saints in question, and the possibility of a new stadium being discussed as a means of keeping them in Louisiana, St. Charles Parish officials recently made a pitch to Gov. Foster on the advantages St. Charles Parish has to offer. During a March 12 meeting in the governor’s office, Foster responded, according to Judge Edward A. Dufresne Jr., “Between me and you, you’ve got the best site.” St. Charles Parish President Albert Laque stated, “We want the Saints to remain in New Orleans. But, if a new stadium is necessary to keep them in Louisiana, then we wanted the governor to see firsthand what St. Charles has to offer.” Laque led the delegation to Baton Rouge, which was arranged by Rep. Gary Smith and Sen. Joel Chaisson II. St. Charles Parish Economic Development Director Corey Faucheux reviewed the benefits of the proposed site on Interstate 310, at the foot of the Hale Boggs Bridge, on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Luling. “There are approximately 400,000 more people within a 60-mile radius of Luling than New Orleans or Slidell,” stated Faucheux. “We are 10 minutes from New Orleans International Airport, have a site that is high, dry and free of timber, and no residents or businesses would need to be relocated.” Drawing a 60-mile radius around the proposed Luling site encloses 2.2 million people, while drawing one in Slidell encloses 1.8 million. Faucheux noted that locating the stadium in Luling, should that need come to pass to keep the Saints in Louisiana, would make it easier for fans north and west of New Orleans to attend games. So would Slidell and Mississippi Gulf Coast fans come to Luling? “Look at the flip side,” Faucheux responded, as he noted the huge turnout for training camp in Thibodaux as evidence of fan support. With I-10, I-310 and the plans by Foster to develop Interstate 49 toward New Orleans, access is no problem, Faucheux said. Esperanza Land Company, controlled by Dufresne, owns the site where the stadium would be located. He has offered a donation of land sufficient to build the stadium and parking facility to the state as an added incentive. “It could become the major junction in this part of the state,” Dufresne said. “You never know until you ask,” Dufrense concluded.