The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana's Slidell clubhouse has a whole new hangout spot for its kids, and it came with a surprise visit from three WWE superstars. On Thursday, the club at 705 Dewey Ave. unveiled a fully renovated game room funded by WWE with additional support from Cricket Wireless, complete with new gaming gear, furniture and a mural straight out of the squared circle.
Wrestling Stars Join the Ribbon-Cutting
WWE performers Ricky Saints, Chelsea Green and Carmelo Hayes took part in the Oct. 8 ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to New Orleans CityBusiness. The trio explored the renovated room alongside local youth and spent time speaking directly with club members, giving the kids a chance to meet the performers behind the characters they likely watch on TV.
The renovation itself was a joint effort, with WWE funding the overhaul and Cricket Wireless chipping in additional support, per the same report. The finished space now includes an air hockey table, a PlayStation 5, traditional arcade games and a Next Playground gaming system, giving members plenty of ways to spend their after-school hours. New flooring, furniture, paint and decor round out the makeover, alongside a custom mural featuring WWE superstars designed by WWE's own artists.
A Space Meant to Say 'You Matter'
The timing wasn't random. The unveiling took place ahead of WWE Money in the Bank in New Orleans, giving the company a local community stop on its way to the bigger event. Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal delivered remarks at the ceremony, lending a civic stamp of approval to the project.
Angel Nelson, speaking about the renovation, said WWE and Cricket Wireless are helping create a space where young people know they matter. That sentiment lines up with the club's broader mission: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana provides youth development programs and services focused on academic achievement and personal development, offering safe spaces for young people throughout the region. The Slidell renovation is intended to expand recreational opportunities for club members while providing an updated environment for social activities and community engagement.
Part of a Longer-Running Partnership
This isn't WWE's first rodeo with the Boys & Girls Clubs. Boys & Girls Clubs of America and WWE announced a multi-year national partnership back in 2016 to support youth empowerment, according to WWE Community. Since then, the two organizations have launched programs including the Be a STAR bully prevention initiative and WWE SuperSpaces club renovations like the one Slidell just received.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana serves youth ages 6 to 18 through after-school and summer programming, according to theadvocate.com, with the organization saying it serves more than 1,000 young people annually through its year-round programs. Organizational materials differ on exactly how many clubs make up the network — the Advocate's reporting cites nine locations across Baton Rouge, Covington, Gretna, New Orleans and Slidell, while the nonprofit's own website lists five clubs in those same communities.
Whatever the final count, Slidell's newly outfitted game room is now open for business, giving local kids a brighter, better-equipped space to hang out after school — and a mural to remind them which superstars helped make it happen.
