[StBernard] Val Riess rededication to be held Saturday, January 15 at 9 a.m.

[Westley Annis]

Val Riess rededication to be held Saturday, January 15 at 9 a.m.

 

With the completion of the Val Reiss Phase II project, St. Bernard Parish
Government will host a ceremony next week to rededicate part of the complex
to Huey Rabalais as well as to dedicate a separate part of the complex to
Roy Brouillette.  The public is invited to the ceremony to honor two
long-time St. Bernard Recreation figures on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 9
a.m.

 

Pre-Katrina, the concession stand at Versailles Park was named in honor of
Rabalais so the Val Riess Fieldhouse in Phase I will be rededicated to him.
Brouillette had the Rebel Gym on Palmisano Boulevard named in his honor, and
one of the fields in Phase II will be dedicated to him at the ceremony.  

 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr. said the entire 33-acre
facility in the heart of Chalmette with eight baseball fields is expected to
be an economic engine that can expand its offerings to host local
recreational and All-Star games, and baseball and softball tournaments,
regional tournaments, World Series and adult cabbage ball and softball
leagues. Of the four fields in Val Riess II, two are designed to host high
school and college games. 

 

Val Riess Phase II opened with a tournament in November. It includes four
baseball fields and a three story concession stand building that includes
areas for score keepers overlooking the fields as well as a loft on the
third level for climate controlled eating and enjoying the games. The first
phase opened August 2009 and included the first four baseball fields and a
two-story concession stand building. The entire complex will see about $20
million in construction before it is completed. In addition to four baseball
fields and concession stand facilities in each of the first two phases, both
have covered seating and shelter pavilions with fans for visitors. 

 

The construction and development of the Val Riess Baseball Complex at the
northern end of Palmisano Boulevard in Chalmette - financed by a combination
of FEMA and Community Development Block Grant funds - is being done in
several phases. In addition to the eight baseball fields and two large
concession stands, it also will include a 40,000-plus square foot massive
multi-purpose building that is under construction. The 40,000-plus square
foot multi-purpose building will host events, such as basketball
tournaments, professional boxing and auto/boat shows. The facility will also
be available to host trade shows, conventions and Mardi Gras balls. 

 

For more information about the Recovery and Growth of St. Bernard Parish,
please visit our website at www.sbpg.net.

 

###