Southern Univ. at Shreveport breaks ground on $9 million complex

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Southern University at Shreveport is breaking ground on a long-awaited project that promises to transform the athletic department as well as student life.

It’s been eight years without a gym on the Southern University Shreveport campus, but that’s changing with a state-of-the-art health and wellness recreation complex that city leaders say this is more than just a gym.

“We’ve been close to 8 years without a gym, and despite all of that, our women’s team was 2024 state champions without it, so it’s gonna be a blessing to the students to actually have a facility to call home.” said SUSLA women’s head basketball coach, Matthew Hines.

“So, bringing this gym complex in here now it’s not just going to be a gym. We want people to understand it’s going to be a health and wellness center, it’s gonna be a recreational center, it’s gonna be a place where the community could come and gather and have their meetings.”

The $9 million investment is part of phase one, and it is funded with the help of state dollars.

“We wanna make sure that the southern university campus, the students, the faculty, everyone involved have a very safe and secure place here where they can learn, where they can have a quality of life, and this is a step in that direction,” said State Senator for District 39, Sam Jenkins.

He says the project not only strengthens and improves the university, but it also creates a hub for the MLK area and the northern part of Shreveport.

“Southern University Shreveport is the centerpiece of the MLK area, and I think it’s also a very major facility in the northern part of the city of Shreveport,” said Jenkins.

Construction is now underway, and excitement is building as students can once again call this new facility home.

Phase one of the project is expected to set the foundation, as leaders continue working to enhance resources and opportunities for students.