Motor sports park in Avondale about to go full speed ahead

4re Nut · Jun 3, 2012

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2012/06/motor_sports_park_in_avondale.html

When Laney Chouest announced his plans for a motor sports facility in 2009, he envisioned a $30 million set of racing tracks designed for high-performance cars and go-carts alike, built on about 200 acres of marshy woods south of Avondale. "When I started, I was thinking of a small facility," said the 58-year-old Galliano native, whose family is the namesake of the Edison Chouest Offshore empire in Lafourche Parish. "I just wasn't thinking as big."

Less than three years later, after his plan doubled in cost and more than tripled in scope, and after overcoming the technical challenges of designing a stable asphalt roadway on the soft West Jefferson mud, Chouest says he is ready to unveil his 750-acre, privately funded $60 million NOLA Motorsports Park...
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JSinNOLA · Jun 6, 2012

Anyone else planning on going out there this weekend for the "official" grand opening?
Perhaps we should meet up there? I'm game for thoughts...

4re Nut · Jun 6, 2012

John/FutureOwner said: ↑

Anyone else planning on going out there this weekend for the "official" grand opening?
Perhaps we should meet up there? I'm game for thoughts...
Click to expand...

I'm a firm maybe/hope to; will know more on Saturday.

achenator · Jun 7, 2012

4re Nut said: ↑

I'm a firm maybe/hope to; will know more on Saturday.
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50 percent chance of rain, if it's not too bad I'll prolly head out there.

4re Nut · May 31, 2013

Time flies, NOLA Motorsports Park pulls in 95,000 visitors in its first year | NOLA.com

Like any 1-year-old, NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale is growing by leaps and bounds. The $60 million arena that caters to speed-obsessed motorsport enthusiasts is kicking off a month-long celebration of its first birthday this weekend.

Nearly 95,000 people visited the park since July, tearing around its tracks in supercharged race cars, go carts and motorcycles or slogging through the mud off road in ATVs.

While reveling in the fast lane is the main attraction, the park also offers courses in driver's education, motorcycle training and safety.

"This is such a new concept. We're so diverse at what we offer,'' said Wes Ratcliffe, general manager and business development director. "Most race tracks are made to be spectator events. That's really all they can host. We're that but we're also about 100 other things.''

Capitalizing on New Orleans as a convention destination, founder Laney Chouest said NOLA Motorsports has served an array of national and international business. In November, the Rotax Max Finals will bring more than 350 go-cart drivers from 60 countries to the area.

He describes the park as a major multi-purpose venue that not only accommodates sports, but also corporate and community functions. The Jefferson Bar Association held a luncheon at the park last fall, and the Big Kahuna New Orleans, an AMA Pro Road Racing event, recently drew more than 15,000 fans with its high-profile teams.

"We are continuing our integration and involvement with the local and regional convention, tourism and hospitality industries,'' Chouest said in an email. "We have been successful at bringing something new and unexpected to the regional hospitality industry.''

Events are streamed live on the internet and on television. The site boasts 34,000 square feet of meeting space, complete with its own on-site catering facility helmed by renown New Orleans chef Scott Boswell of the acclaimed French Quarter restaurant Stella.

"We have received excellent community support on all levels,'' Chouest said.

Jefferson Parish Councilman Mark Spears, whose district includes the park, lauded Chouest's investment. NOLA Motorsports events give the West Bank great exposure beyond the region, and its participants have given to local schools, Spears said. Discussions are under way to work with at-risk youth.

"When you look at the sales tax revenue being generated, the hotels in the area being filled, it's big,'' Spears said. "We'll continue to support them. They support the people in the parish.''

The park, at 11075 Nicolle Blvd., adjacent to the TPC Louisiana golf course, is growing. Since its opening, it has expanded from 600 acres to nearly 1,700 acres.

"We see this as really the last big growth area. If you look at a satellite view, this is the uncharted territory,'' Ratcliffe said. "It's amazing because it's so close to everything. If you look at it, we're right in the middle, between the airport and downtown.''

As a sign of its success, all of the park's private garages are occupied. Two months ago, 30 miles of off-road trails opened. Construction on condominiums is in the early stages. A "speed shop'' to service and refurbish vehicles recently opened to the public. And the park will partner with Delgado Community College to provide internships to automotive students.

Chouest and Ratcliff said they plan to expand the park's civic involvement. "We're happy to be a help to the community,'' Ratcliff said.
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JSinNOLA · Jun 1, 2013

The whole place as turned out to be a huge win for the community.

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Motor sports park in Avondale about to go full speed ahead

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Motor sports park in Avondale about to go full speed ahead

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