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March 31, 2021
From the Top | Ashlee Barahona
April 1, 2021
When Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government relieved Recreation District No. 2-3 of its obligation to run the Bayou Country Sports Park (BCSP) in October 2020, complete control of the park shifted to the parish, with the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center staff at the helm.
“So one of the goals [when the parish took over] was to bring the economic impact with the tournaments, being able to sell the park, advertise the park and promote the park to bring outsiders in,” said Dean Schouest, Director of the Civic Center. “But at the same time, half the park is a Terrebonne Parish facility for the community to use, and I don’t think the community fully was aware of that. So it was also to bring awareness to that.”
Schouest said all-around interest is growing for the massive complex, which sits off of La. Highway 311 near the Lakes subdivision.
Regarding bringing in out-of-towners, Schouest said the park has 27 tournaments booked this year for its softball facility, about 75 percent of the season. In February, Terrebonne High hosted a team softball tournament at the complex. Consisting of 13 out-of-town teams, the event brought over 2,000 visitors to BCSP, Schouest said. “So, that’s people staying in hotels, eating in restaurants — just spending money in the community,” he continued.
Officials aim for Bayou Country Sports Park to bring in more locals, too. The parish partnered with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to stock the park’s pond with channel catfish and rainbow trout for recreational fishing. In November 2020, BCSP hosted the “Get Out and Fish!” event, encouraging the community to spend a day reeling in catches at the park.
“People just came out and really supported the event,” Schouest said.
At press time in mid-March, Schouest said the pond is about to be stocked again with catfish this month in addition to another time in May. He also said Parish President Gordon Dove is committed to stocking it with bass.
The director also highlighted the park’s beach for attracting residents. “Every weekend, the beach has got 75-100 people on it. I’ve received nothing but compliments on it,” he said.
“Get Out and Fish!” wasn’t the only event BCSP hosted in 2020. In October, community members were invited to “Trunk or Treat,” a free Halloween candy giveaway that included music, games, food and a car show. This year, the parish plans to hold a free Easter egg hunt on March 20. Schouest said the event currently has 15 sponsors.
“It’s going to be a huge event,” he said. “We want everyone to come out and enjoy the place and learn more about it.”
Schouest credits the Civic Center staff, especially Event Manager Rachel Bridges, Marketing Manager Scott Belanger and Concession Manager Dennis Lebeouf, for the strides Bayou Country Sports Park has made in attendance, sponsorship and promoting.
“Taking over, I would say only 30-40 percent really knew about the park,” he said. “Since we’ve gotten involved and entrenched in it, I’d say 85-90 percent of the local community now know about the facility and are using it.”
The BCSP, which opened in 2019, still has a long way to go, with other additions planned for the 154 acres of land, such as tennis courts, playground equipment, sand volleyball courts, an amphitheater, a splash pad (officially opening May 1) and a dog park, among other attractions.
“The good thing is now that they have a full-time force out there like ourselves, we can stay on top of projects and make sure that as one project comes to a close, we have another one already on the books and ready to go,” Schouest said.
Although years away from coming to complete fruition, Bayou Country Sports Park is already being credited for reaching the parish’s goal: improving the quality of life of Terrebonne residents.
“…Quality of life in Terrebonne Parish is an important goal right now – and that’s what we are focused on,” Schouest said. “Come and see the park because you would never believe Houma has something of this nature–that’s what I’ve been told by so many people who have been through that park…The quality of life has just reached a level that we just haven’t seen, and we’re really excited about it.” •
