State, local officials celebrate groundbreaking of $21 million coastal research center

Colin Campo, Houma Courier-Thibodaux Daily Comet
·4 min read

Three milestones were reached on Nicholls State University's campus Tuesday, memorialized by Louisiana's outgoing governor.

Gov. John Bel Edwards visited Nicholls State University for the groundbreaking of a Coastal Research Center the announcement of a new nursing building, as well as the ribbon cutting for a covered football field. The projects were made possible through the $40 million the school received in capital outlay last year.

"It's an honor to stand before you as the president of Nicholls State University as we celebrate not one but three milestones that will shape the future of our beloved institution," Nicholls State President Jay Clune said.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards visits Nicholls State University, Oct. 7, to celebrate $46 million being spent on new facilities at the campus: A coastal research center, a covered football field, and a new nursing building.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards visits Nicholls State University, Oct. 7, to celebrate $46 million being spent on new facilities at the campus: A coastal research center, a covered football field, and a new nursing building.

The nursing building will address the nation's shortage of nurses, while the research center will create a hub for studying coastal erosion. The football field is aimed at allowing students and athletes to practice regardless of weather conditions.

"There haven't been three constructions on this campus at one time since it was built 75 years ago," Edwards said. "We have been making every effort to invest in higher education… and so we are here today talking about $45 million dollars worth of state investment in facilities on this campus."

Research Center

The Research Center will cost $21 million to construct and will gather environmental scientists from around the world to tackle the land loss crisis. The 33,000 square foot building will be two stories with space for both classrooms and researchers.

Getting the money was a battle, Louisiana State Rep. Jerome Zeringue said, though it was ultimately won because of Nicholls's proximity to the Atchafalaya River and the Terrebonne Basin.

He described the Terrebonne-Lafourche region as the "canary in the coalmine" with regards to the land loss. The Atchafalaya is gaining land, while the Terrebonne Basin is experiencing the highest land loss in the country.

"This region has the highest land-loss rate of any other place in the nation, not just the state," Zeringue said.

As the area develops methods to tackle the issue, he said, it will become a leader for other coastal states.

"The things we learn here are going to be a transportable commodity that can be applied in other places in the nation," he said.

State and local officials gather to celebrate the groundbreaking, October 7, of a coastal research center to be constructed at Nicholls State University. The $21 million research center will focus ways to address coastal land loss.
State and local officials gather to celebrate the groundbreaking, October 7, of a coastal research center to be constructed at Nicholls State University. The $21 million research center will focus ways to address coastal land loss.

Zeringue said it was important that the research of the land loss be housed near the Terrebonne Basin. With the land loss being right at Terrebonne and Lafourche's doorstep, Louisiana State Sen. Brett Allain said the area had skin in the game when it came to land loss. That alone, Allain said, meant no other place was more deserving of the facility.

"The people see [land loss] on a daily basis," Allain said. "In the middle of Lafayette you don't see it, here you see it. People have a stake in it. You are saving their homes. Look at what the insurance rates are doing. People aren't going to be able to afford to live south of the Intracoastal Canal if we don't do something. So the investment needed to be made here."

Nursing Center

The $20 million structure is planned to replace the old Ayo Hall, which currently houses nursing students. It is still in the architecture phase, so the size is unknown; however, the location is slated for the parking lot adjacent to Ayo Hall.

The country has faced a nursing shortage throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and onward. Lawmakers have said the shortage is caused by not enough people being trained, and Nicholls had a kink in the pipeline. It was training nurses, but actually had to turn students away because of lack of space.

Louisiana State Senator Brett Allain visits Nicholls State University, Oct. 7, to celebrate $46 million being spent on new facilities at the campus: A coastal research center, a covered football field, and a new nursing building.
Louisiana State Senator Brett Allain visits Nicholls State University, Oct. 7, to celebrate $46 million being spent on new facilities at the campus: A coastal research center, a covered football field, and a new nursing building.

"There's a critical need for nurses; it was a no-brainer," Allain said. "They were only accepting one of every three students that applied, so doubling it was a natural. You're still going to be turning down one of every three, but when you have critical shortage of nurses and you have kids that want to become it, why not create the environment for them to do it?"

More: Terrebonne School Superintendent had big plans to unveil. Gibson residents not interested

More: Terrebonne coroner identifies Houma man who died in police custody Friday

The building will increase the capacity to take in and train students, and Allain said that will help Louisiana to not just help its own nursing supply, but also potentially fill the needs of other states.

The turf of Nicholls State University's new covered football field. The $5.3 million, 81,000 square foot covered outdoor football training facility will allow students to practice all year round, officials say.
The turf of Nicholls State University's new covered football field. The $5.3 million, 81,000 square foot covered outdoor football training facility will allow students to practice all year round, officials say.

Football Field

Part of a two-phased project to update the university's sports facilities, the 81,000 square foot covered outdoor football training field came in with a $5.3 million price tag. It will be usable not just for football players but other sports, and others, like band, cheer and dance teams.

Phase one was a separate building that was built first with space for coaches' offices, a new locker room, a lounge for players and a 142-seat team meeting room.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Nicholls State breaks ground on $21 million coastal research center