The City of Slidell is excited to announce the official purchase and closing on the Slidell Bantam Baseball Association (SBBA) ballfields, turning a key vision that Mayor Randy Fandal spoke about in last week’s State of the City address into reality.

After two years of hard work, planning, and collaboration, the city now owns the SBBA ballfields and has secured a commitment from a private investor to contribute between 7 and 8 million dollars to turf and upgrade the facilities.

“This project will improve recreational facilities for our families and allow Slidell to host tournaments from across the region right here at home, bringing visitors and economic activity without placing the full burden on taxpayers,” said Mayor Fandal. “I would like to thank everyone who worked hard on making this deal possible, the SBBA board, and especially Councilman Kenny Tamborella and the members of the Slidell City Council for their support. This is a major win for our families, our young athletes, our local businesses, and our taxpayers.”

The upgraded SBBA complex is expected to provide modern, high-quality facilities for local youth and families, attract regional baseball tournaments and associated tourism spending, support local businesses through increased visitor traffic, and deliver significant recreational and economic benefits without fully relying on public funds.