Groundbreaking For Center
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Bulldozers and excavators briefly stopped their work on Monday as state and local officials gathered in South City Park for a ceremonial groundbreaking that saluted the construction of a $4.6 million Opelousas Community Center.
Debris and dirt stood in the background at the previous site for a 96 year-old swimming pool and bath house complex, whose demolition was begun and completed in January.
A completion date for the Community Center has not been projected. However the building located on city property is intended to complement the nearby $8 million Donald Gardner Stadium facility that was completed in October.
Funding for the Community Center was obtained by State Representative Dustin Miller with funding originally earmarked for statewide broadband projects.
Discussing The Project
Those who referenced the Community Center during their remarks, said the facility represents municipal change and growth.
“At the end of the day, what we are seeing here (on Monday) says that this city is not dying. It’s part of growth. I know that this (project) is not happening the way some people want, but sometimes that’s what happens when you have growth,” said Bill Rodier, executive director for the St. Landry Economic District.
Lena Charles, executive director for the Opelousas Downtown Development District, said the Community Center project represents change for the city.
“Change. That’s really what this is today. The (ODD) is proud to be affiliated with this project. We have got to do something different if we really want to do something,” Charles explained.
ODD member Pat Fontenot said the completion of the Center will facilitate use by several generations
“As a citizen of Opelousas, I am thankful that (Monday) has come. I am also thankful that because of a state, federal and local government partnership, we were able to get this done,” Fontenot added.
The Community Center, which is purported to host multiple educational, athletic and civic events, will eventually provide multiple services that Mayor Julius Alsandor said will lead to economic development.
“This is a facility that we will be able to utilize in ways that we could have only dreamed of,” Alsandor added.
State program manager Emmy Hicks said in an interview that funding for the Center originated from federal American Rescue Plan (COVID-19) revenues remitted to the state for broadband projects.
Hicks told those who attended that both the John Bel Edwards and Jeff Landry administrations agreed to provide the funding through La. Connect for projects like the Community Center.
Both administrations, Hicks said, are eager to provide revenue mechanisms for towns that do not necessarily have sufficient resources.
“The state wants to help provide the opportunities for people to get the services and education that they need and that can lead to economic development,” said Hicks.
