By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor
PINEVILLE – Louisiana College’s H.O. West Fieldhouse is getting some much needed TLC.
Thanks to the generosity of a private donor, contractor Gentry and Holder Floors Inc. of Shreveport has already begun work on replacing the lower set of bleachers and putting down a new floor. The cost of the project is $300,000.
“They started tearing out the bleachers at the end of July,” said Louisiana College athletics director Dennis Dunn. “And they are now removing the floor. They have given us Nov. 1 as the target date for completion of the job.”
Dunn said the basketball teams would practice in the Henry Walden Gym until the renovation work is completed.
“They don’t open the season until mid-November. The first home game is not scheduled until Nov. 17,” said Dunn, “so we feel we have enough of a cushion between the completion date and the start of the season.”
The Wildcats and Lady Cats both begin their seasons on Nov. 14 on the road. The men will square off against UL-Lafayette in Lafayette while the women travel to Lake Charles to face McNeese State. The first home game will be on Nov. 17 when Centenary squares off against the Lady Cats.
Dunn said one of his top priorities after being name the school’s AD last spring was addressing some of the glaring needs of our facilities.
“I’ve been here for the past nine years so I had the lay of the land. I was familiar with what needed to be done and right away,” said Dunn. “After we finish with the Fieldhouse, we want to work on getting rest room facilities at the stadium.
“We are trying to get the message out to people, alumni and businesses that we are not taking a shotgun approach to addressing our needs. It will be targeted like a laser,” said Dunn. “Because we are tuition driven, we will continue to seek privately-funded capital projects. We are attempting to connect and re-connect with people who can assist us with these projects
“We are also keeping an open line of communication with everyone,” he continued. “We want to let everyone know where we are and we appreciate all of their connections – past, present and future – with Louisiana College.”
Dunn said corporate and business partnerships are being sought which for their donation would give them advertising exposure at the facilities. These same corporations and businesses are being offered naming rights for all of the facilities.
“If someone is interested in donating, they can contact me on my cell phone at 318.613.6767,” said Dunn. “If someone is interested in finding out our needs, I will be happy to share them with them.”