Arnie Fielkow has accomplished many great things in his long, distinguished career as sports executive and political leader in New Orleans.
He’s negotiated high-stakes lease deals for the New Orleans Saints, orchestrated the overhaul of NORD and overseen the development of Joe Brown Park and the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Pontchartrain Park.
But few things have been nearer and dearer to his heart than the [9th Ward Stadium project](https://www.nola.com/news/education/9th-ward-stadium-new-orleans-groundbreaking/article_067b64c3-c9f6-4035-b39a-c4dca2278bb2.html).
It has essentially been his life’s calling for the last seven years.
Fielkow revived the project after it had been derailed by dysfunction, malfeasance and corruption; navigated it through assorted hurdles and roadblocks; and saw it through to its successful completion. And he did it for altruistic reasons. He didn’t receive a dime for his efforts. He wasn’t motivated by publicity. He did it because he cared about the kids at Carver and saw a need in the community.
Nearly two decades after Teach for America instructor Bryan Bordainick hatched the idea in 2008, the original 9th Ward Field of Dreams project has finally come to fruition, thanks largely to Fielkow’s drive, determination and willpower. He wasn’t solely responsible for the nearly $15 million raised to fund the stadium’s construction. But as executive director, he certainly was responsible for pulling it all together and making it happen.
So it was understandable to see Fielkow beaming from his front-row seat as local and state officials celebrated the groundbreaking for the [Raising Cane's 9th Ward Stadium at LCMC Health Field](https://www.nola.com/news/education/long-awaited-9th-ward-stadium-set-to-break-ground-as-sponsors-secure-naming-rights/article_df3edabe-123e-450b-a439-3f7688e1e717.html) on Monday at the construction site behind George Washington Carver High School.
Despite sweltering heat that spurred emcee Norman Robinson to quip that he was “sweating like a French Quarter mule,” Fielkow never stopped smiling throughout the hourlong ceremony.
“It feels fantastic,” Fielkow said after stabbing a ceremonial shovel in the dirt to kick off the yearlong construction project. “It has been a long journey. We had ups and downs along the way, but with the help of a lot of great people, we made it to today and a year from now we'll make it to the ribbon cutting. And then after that we're going to build this track and field venue adjacent to it. So we're not done. But today is a milestone — and a very, very exciting day.”
It takes a village to complete a project of this scale, and that was certainly the case here. Seemingly, every sector of the New Orleans community rallied behind Fielkow’s plan. Everyone from Mayor Helena Moreno to U.S. Rep. Troy Carter to NOLA Public Schools superintendent Fateama Fulmore to corporate titans Greg Feirn and Todd Graves joined forces to carry the project across the goal line.
They all played key roles in helping to complete the mission.
But no one deserves more credit than Fielkow. He had more sweat equity in the project than anyone. He took the baton from Bordainick and ran with it. Ultimately, he was the one who got it done.
Appropriately, the former Saints executive and New Orleans city councilman received his proverbial flowers from the distinguished cast of speakers during the ceremony.
Carter called him a “true philanthropist” and “humanitarian extraordinaire.”
Moreno celebrated his perseverance.
Graves applauded his tenacity while citing one of his favorite business axioms: _Nothing great ever happens unless someone pursues a vision fanatically._
“I just respect people that won't ever give up,” Graves said. “Anything worthwhile is really hard to do. And I just think of Arnie being that way for 15 years, being fanatical about that vision and never giving up. If it wouldn't have been for him and all the people that lead, (the stadium project) would have gone away.”
Fielkow admitted there were many difficult days where his faith was tested. Escalating construction costs tripled the price tag from its original $5 million goal. Elevated living costs led to donor caution and financial fatigue. He was told “no” more times than he could count, but he refused to quit. When one door slammed in his face, he knocked on another one.
“At times, it was hard to raise money,” Fielkow said. “But you just keep persevering. You just keep going and going, and that was my mantra and that was the goal.”
On Monday, Fielkow and his team of well-intentioned do-gooders celebrated the completion of that goal. By the 2027 football season, the Carver Rams athletic programs will have a glitzy new home stadium, a state-of-the-art facility that will be the envy of their peers. Other New Orleans-area high schools will also get to play and compete there. It’s a win for everyone involved — the school, the city and the surrounding Desire community.
The 9th Ward Stadium project is no longer just a vision or a “Field of Dreams.”
It’s a reality, thanks to Arnie Fielkow.