Cardshark is not a word I would use to describe myself.
But looking over the cow pastures on Nicholson Drive to the new L’Auberge Casino and Hotel Baton Rouge, I know by adding a Vegas-style casino along the Mississippi River to a University with incredible traditions, Baton Rouge has set a new standard for good times in SEC.
Location is key in real estate and development, and the location of L’Auberge in Baton Rouge is perfect.
The structure resembles the city with an obvious joie de vivre. Like a piece of Vegas that lost its way down the bayou, it straddles the levee, standing over the Mississippi as if trying to impose upon the River’s force.
Although the Big Muddy has hosted more scenic shores in its long, winding history, the opening of L’Auberge Baton Rouge is a big step leading the way to make our stretch of river more of an attraction to revelers, rather than a pure industrial mecca.
Granted, our refineries and freighters will continue to grace us with their view – at least I hope so, for the sake of Louisiana’s economy.
With the opening scheduled Aug. 29, the timing is great. It’ll open a potentially historical season in LSU football, added that we’re in the midst of a yearlong celebration of Louisiana’s bicentennial.
However, this was not the original date. The record crest of the Mississippi River in spring 2011 that had an eerie sense of the Great Flood of 1927 brought construction of the grand casino hotel to a halt.
For more than a century man has grappled and wrestled to maintain the river at bay. Once again it threatened man’s determination.
With the combination of the Mississippi River, the University and now L’Auberge Baton Rouge, our city is poised to set itself farther apart from any college towns of the SEC – or any college town, for that matter.
The casino hotel is definitely a game changer among SEC schools. No one else can boast a $368 million Vegas-style casino hotel, which is situated on the banks of one of the world’s greatest waterways, in the capital city of the state everyone wishes to experience a part of.
Where else on God’s green Earth is there such a combination of tradition and culture, an atmosphere for the most “bon” of times and the best football a pork-rind-eatin’, beer-drinkin’ man could ask for?
But other than giving us Tigers an incredible edge, the economic life L’Auberge Baton Rouge should bring to the community will be great. L’Auberge itself alone created 1,000 new jobs – some evidence that government doesn’t create jobs, but businesses do – and will be using local vendors.
Now weekend trips for Saturday games will turn into four-day vacation stays – profitable weekends for Baton Rouge. As if opposing fans weren’t excited enough to come down to Tiger Stadium before.
Pregame parties and after parties will never be the same in Baton Rouge with the additional 74,000 square feet of a gambling room and a rooftop pool.
So as all roads lead south to Baton Rouge this fall, let’s pass some good times – because it’s evident we’re in the place tobe.
Chris Ortte is 21-year-old political science senior from Lafayette.
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Contact Chris Ortte at [email protected]; Twitter: @TDR_chrisortte