BAKER, La. (WAFB) – City leaders and BREC officials are moving forward with plans to invest millions of dollars into youth sports facilities in Baker, a move supporters say could create more opportunities for local athletes while boosting economic development in the area.
The proposal includes two major projects: a nearly $5 million plan to transform Baker Park into a state-of-the-art baseball complex and a $2 million project to upgrade soccer fields near Main Street.
BREC Interim Superintendent Janet Simmons said the investment is aimed at addressing a challenge many families face.
“When my kids were playing ball, we lived in Baton Rouge and we would have to travel all the way to Pensacola to play tournaments, and that’s expensive,” Simmons said. “It’s expensive for people who don’t have a lot of money, and we want to provide opportunities right here in our backyard.”
Supporters say the projects would allow more local athletes to compete closer to home while helping Baker attract regional tournaments and visitors.
The goal is to turn both facilities into tournament-style venues capable of drawing teams from across the region.
“Baseball fields bring people, they bring hotels, they bring restaurants and that brings people,” Baker Mayor Darnell Waites said.
According to officials, the projects would be funded through revenue generated by a tax renewal approved by voters in 2024, along with other funds generated by BREC.
Mayor Waites acknowledged that not everyone may support the investment but said the projects align with what residents have asked for over the years.
“They asked for this 10 years ago. They said they wanted economic development growth. It’s in writing. We got it. We’ve been working. That’s what we’ve agreed to do and that’s all we’re doing,” Waites said.
Waites said he believes the investment can help create long-term economic growth and position Baker as a destination for youth sports tournaments and related development.
“I can’t be afraid to move forward and can’t be afraid to do that. So, we’re going to keep pushing,” he said.
The mayor said his goal is for construction on the projects to begin in 2027 and be completed by 2028.
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