SULPHUR, La. (March 31, 2023)—Visit Lake Charles along with Calcasieu Parish municipalities and recreation districts have teamed up to hire Huddle Up Group to embark upon a comprehensive recreational facilities master plan for the parish.
The SWLA recreational facilities survey, the first step in the master plan process, will be used to identify projects and a suggested cohesive plan for residents in Calcasieu Parish. The survey will deploy the first week in April and be available online at VisitLakeCharles.org/survey, Visit Lake Charles’ social media channels, and distributed and promoted by partners in recreation on their respective websites, social channels, and e-mail newsletters through Sunday, April 30.
“SWLA is the youth sports capital of Louisiana, and we are looking to start a conversation with residents and leaders to understand the needs of our communities throughout the parish when it comes to the future of recreational facilities. When considering building for the future, it’s imperative to hear about ideas and perspectives from residents to have a clear vision of possibilities and shared goals,” said Kyle Edmiston, President/CEO of Visit Lake Charles.
After the surveys are collected, Huddle Up Group will analyze the findings and present a masterplan for consideration for Calcasieu Parish that outlines smart application of development that will benefit residents with quality-of-life facilities and potential for partnerships in attracting new events that have positive economic impact on the community. Each recreation district and municipality will then determine the feasibility and viability of projects within their boundaries.
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Chris Landry, believes that it is important for local citizens parish wide to be a part of this process because more input will lead to a stronger recreational plan and investment for Calcasieu Parish.
“We would like the voices of everyone to be heard during this process. This information will be invaluable for planning and understanding the creative ideas that residents have when it comes to recreational facilities. I would encourage everyone to take the survey and pass it along to friends and family members,” said Chris Landry, president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.
“This is the perfect moment for Calcasieu Parish to work in concert when planning for the future. We are fortunate to have an opportunity like this to work as a cohesive community in the parish to see what the future could bring for recreational facilities for residents in Southwest Louisiana,” said Mayor Nic Hunter of Lake Charles.
Sulphur has hosted many prestigious championships over the years including the LHSAA Swimming State Championships, LHSAA Softball State Championships, and LHSAA Baseball State Championships. Additionally, Burton Coliseum has hosted the LHSAA Boys’ Basketball State Championship for the past 10 years and has hosted the LHSAA Girls’ Basketball State Championships several times in the past. While these events shine a spotlight on our community and provide much pride in our facilities, this survey is concentrated on what is needed for citizens of all ages to cover their recreational needs in the future.
“Sulphur Parks and Recreation has built state-of-the-art facilities providing both functional and recreational aspects for residents and sporting events. We know that as our community grows, we want to be prepared for providing for the needs of everyone involved,” said Mayor Mike Danahay of Sulphur.
The Huddle Up Group is a leader in sports planning for destination whether it be for strategic growth, feasibility studies or anything in between. The company has worked with destination marketing organizations and sports commissions in cities such as Ashville, Arlington, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Birmingham, and Panama City.
For more information on the Huddle Up Group, visit www.huddleupgroup.com. To access the SWLA Recreational Facilities Survey, go to www.visitlakecharles.org/survey April 3-30 or follow Visit Lake Charles’ social media channels.
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