Renovated Rapides Coliseum Could Open In 2015

Voters in Rapides Parish approved a proposal Tuesday to spend $23 million to upgrade and renovate the entertainment venue on La. Highway 28 West in Alexandria.

Plans for the renovated coliseum include giving the arena a new, modern exterior for curb appeal; replacing the seating and expanding capacity by more than 3,000; rebuilding the parking area and nearly doubling available spaces; a complete overhaul of the facility's technology; new stages, dressing rooms and a basketball floor; and new bathrooms, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems.

The Town Talk reports construction could take up to two years. That would put the project completion date sometime in 2015.