On the day the New Orleans Saints announced they would honor former quarterback Drew Brees during half-time of their Thanksgiving game against the Bills, Drew Brees announced that he was supporting the proposed resort and casino in Slidell.
This issue will be decided by St Tammany voters in December.
Some Northshore leaders have lined up against the concept. Sheriff Randy Smith and Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal have said the casino would be bring more crime to the area. Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says the numbers don’t add up to make it a smart option for local businesses in his city.
Now Brees enters the discussion.
In a video the former Saints quarterback talks about the importance of competition in his upbringing and the value of having a sports complex in East St. Tammany.
Meanwhile, St. Tammany Corp. CEO Chris Masingill released the initial findings, proposed development plan, and conceptual designs of a sports tourism complex that would be developed upon voter approval of Camellia Bay Resort, Casino, and Marina.
In August, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment announced its commitment to provide the entire $35 million contribution to the construction of a competitive sports tourism complex in eastern St. Tammany upon approval of Camellia Bay Resort, Casino, and Marina.
The East St. Tammany Sports Complex would employ multi-use flexibility of the fields, allowing for the complex to cater to sports across the spectrum of sports tourism including baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and football as well as less traditional events ranging from rugby and ultimate frisbee to quidditch and spikeball.
Synthetic turf surfaces and LED lighting will ensure that the facility maximizes playability.
According to information provided by St Tammany Corp the phase one conceptual design is a layout that provides the ability to host over 80 baseball or softball teams, 100 soccer or lacrosse teams, 120 flag football teams and three simultaneous high school football games.
For more information and to view the preliminary development plan, draft renderings, and video, visit www.sttammanycorp.org/sports-tourism-complex-plan/.