The Louisiana National Guard is constructing a new $37.4 million Readiness Center at 2350 West Congress Street in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Located near the Hilton Garden Inn Lafayette/Cajundome, the Lafayette Readiness Center will serve as a modern, state-of-the-art headquarters for local units of the Louisiana National Guard. The project includes facilities for training, administration, and material storage, supporting both day-to-day operations and statewide emergency deployments (KATC, The Advocate).
Rendering sourced: https://www.hollyandsmith.com/portfolioproject/lafayette-readiness-center
According to Holly & Smith Architects, who designed the project, the new center will span 74,316 square feet (other reports indicate 84,000), offering dedicated areas for administrative functions, training, and equipment storage.
The Advocate reports the facility will feature a large drill hall, modern classrooms with projector capabilities, weapons storage areas, and energy-efficient offices—all tailored to meet the needs of today’s military standards. The space will also accommodate maintenance operations and serve as a coordination hub during state emergencies such as hurricanes.
View behind Hilton Garden Inn
The project will replace the Guard’s 50-year-old armory on Surrey Street, which has long exceeded its capacity as the number of units and personnel has grown. The new site, leased from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, will provide ample space for expansion and training as the Guard continues to evolve its operations for the future.
Construction is expected to take approximately 20 months to complete, with a total project cost of $37,478,000.
