The derelict Six Flags theme park in New Orleans could be transformed into a sports complex, despite the site being earmarked as the future site of a Nickelodeon theme park.

New Orleans City Council president, Arnie Fielkow, told local media that the former Six Flags site could host a large community sports area, including "six to eight baseball and softball fields that are replicas of historic stadiums, an indoor arena and soccer fields".

New Orleans mayor, Ray Nagin, has insisted, however, that plans tabled by Baton Rouge-based Southern Star for a theme park are still the preferred option for the park, which closed due to flooding caused by hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The land is owned by the city of New Orleans and currently leased out to Six Flags. Southern Star first attempted to either take over the lease in 2007, but failed to reach an agreement with city bosses. The talks were terminated at the end of 2008.

Six Flags New Orleans is located in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans - the area most severely damaged by the 2005 flooding. The park first opened under the name Jazzland in 2000, before being taken over by Six Flags in 2002.