Brother Martin Broke Ground on Farley Field

The New Orleans high school launched a major athletic facility redevelopment project in Gentilly.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Construction

A heavy-duty yellow construction excavator parked on a grassy athletic field where a large patch of earth has been freshly turned.
Brother Martin High School has officially begun the comprehensive redevelopment of E.A. Farley Field in Gentilly, supported by a major capital campaign. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local schools prioritize building expensive new athletic facilities for their students?

Brother Martin High School has officially begun a comprehensive redevelopment of E.A. Farley Field. The project aims to modernize the campus athletic facilities to better serve the school community.

Why it matters

This significant investment underscores the school's ongoing commitment to student development and reflects its long-term growth in the Gentilly neighborhood. The project is supported by a dedicated capital campaign involving families and alumni.

The redevelopment follows the completion of a school batting facility built in 2023. Project specifications include new synthetic turf, updated LED lighting, expanded seating, and modernized locker rooms.

The players

Brother Martin High School

This is a Catholic college-preparatory school located in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans.

Gibbs Construction

This is a construction firm established in 1976 that has a history of building facilities at the school.

Holly & Smith Architects

This is the architectural firm partnering on the design and execution of the field redevelopment project.

The details

Gibbs Construction is leading the project in partnership with Holly & Smith Architects. The construction is part of the Building For Champions: Re-Envisioning Farley Field capital campaign, which utilizes contributions from the school's broad network of supporters.

Timeline

  1. 1965: Larry Gibbs graduated from Cor Jesu High School.

  2. 1976: Larry Gibbs founded Gibbs Construction.

  3. 2023: Gibbs Construction completed the school's batting facility.

  4. September 30, 2026: The school held a groundbreaking ceremony for the project.

  5. Fall 2027: The project is expected to reach completion.

Market Landscape

This project follows a broader industry trend where private institutions rely on targeted capital campaigns to fund facility modernization. It solidifies a long-standing partnership between the school and its chosen construction and design firms.

The project will provide students with improved athletic amenities upon its expected opening in the fall of 2027. Local residents and families can expect ongoing construction activity at the Gentilly campus throughout the development phase.

The takeaway

The field redevelopment reflects a strategic effort by the school to maintain modern facilities for its student population. Future projects at local institutions will likely continue to rely on similar alumni and family-funded capital models.

Further reading

For more on ongoing infrastructure projects in the city, see the latest Construction reports.

Source note: This article includes information reported by New Orleans CityBusiness.

Live Poll

Should local schools prioritize building expensive new athletic facilities for their students?