The Castine Center is a unique place. Located inside Pelican Park, it serves as the administrative offices for the park as well as a multi purpose facility available for rent. I've been there for gun shows, fundraisers, school functions, and most importantly, the recreational league team draft. Northshore residents who live in Recreation District 1 pay property taxes to fund the park, the center and the improvements to the area. Being able to see where those dollars go actually makes me happy to pay those taxes every year. The Castine Center can be rented in sections or as a whole. Depending on the type of event it can be super fancy or super casual. There is a large parking area out front that can accommodate pretty large crowds. During the team drafts for recreational sports we have the place all to ourselves. Even though I've been there for many different events, I really enjoy the team drafts. We have the place all to ourselves as we sit around picking teams and laughing at the super competitive coaches trying to relive their youth. Most of us are there to help teach the kids and have a good time, but some of those people are serious as if it's the NFL draft. If you're looking to book an event, or have any business with the park, check out The Castine Center. read more

I attended the Grapes & Grain event at this venue. First of all, you need to know that GPS will send you to the wrong place. At least, it sent us to the wrong place. The building is actually located in the back of a really big park. There's a sign that you follow and you drive down a winding road and there you are. The venue itself is nice- there is plenty of parking and the room is really big with a stage and enough space so that you don't feel cramped. The staff that was working was good at picking things up when needed and keeping things organized. I had a good time at the event that I attended here and I would recommend this spot if you are looking to host a party. read more

I've been here for several events in the past. During basketball season, the facility doubles as three practice courts. The facility is located inside Pelican Park which has several baseball, football and soccer fields in addition to two gyms. There's probably over 300 free parking spaces in the immediate parking lot and other close-by lots are available for overflow parking. Some of the events held in the past include trade shows, carnival balls, concerts, local school functions and sporting events. There's sufficient restroom facilities, a spacious lobby area, concessions and a covered driveway/entrance for use in inclement weather. The staff has always been courteous and helpful when approached. read more

I wrapped up the month of July as a +1 (Plus One) invitee at the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's 5th Annual Grapes & Grain Fine Wine and Craft Beer Tasting on Friday, July 31st at the Castine Center located in Mandeville's Pelican Park. The spirited soiree featured fine wines from around the world, craft beers with an emphasis on local breweries, tasty tidbits from some of the Northshore's top eateries, a silent auction and live entertainment. Getting to the event was lots of fun, thanks to the GPS-like on-board navigational program we used to guide us to our location, avoid traffic congestion and speed traps. In our haste, we made our final turn a block too soon when we turned onto Pelican Boulevard instead of Pelican Drive. The navigational program then stated thru the vehicle's speakers that we had arrived at our destination. Surprisingly, when we looked outside, we were at the closed Mandeville State Mental Institution and we were left hoping that the navigational program merely had a great sense of humor. Once we recalibrated our guidance system we were able to finally arrived at our intended destination. The Castine Center provided a marvelous setting with ample parking, a spacious auditorium, quality acoustics to enjoy the live band performance and yet engage in pleasant conversation. This fundraising event was well attended and well organized. The food choices were plentiful and tasty, but best of all was the abundant selection of wines and beers, which enabled me to discover a new favorite wine and a really good local beer brewed in Covington, Louisiana. The main focus of the evening was to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the silent auction included hundreds of items such as airline tickets, artworks, hotel accommodations, an original designer cruiser single speed bicycle, a Wounded Warrior Memorial 120 quart Yeti Cooler and hundreds of other offerings. Unfortunately, I bid on several items hoping to get something at a bargain rate, but the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was the big winner because most of the donated auction items sold for more than their actual market value. read more