LAFAYETTE, La. — The Louisiana National Guard broke ground on a new $37.4 million readiness center in Lafayette, designed to replace the outdated armory on Surrey Street and provide state-of-the-art training facilities for soldiers and airmen.

The 83,943-square-foot facility will serve as a modern headquarters where National Guard members can train for overseas deployments and prepare to respond to emergencies within Louisiana.

"This project symbolizes Louisiana National Guard's commitment to build combat readiness," said Major General Thomas Friloux.

The current Surrey Street location has become inadequate for the Guard's growing needs, according to Friloux.

"It's been there 50-plus years. We significantly outgrown the location. The number of units there was not what it was designed f

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