By Rita Shirley LeBleu
The 77-year-old Oak Street Pool is no more, but Calcasieu Ward Six Recreation services continue to make a splash here. While DeQuincy parents and grandparents are waxing nostalgic over the loss of the “pool of their memories”, Calcasieu Parish Ward Six Recreation Board President Josh Neal is focused on future opportunities to serve.
Currently, the youth sports baseball program alone serves almost 300 boys and girls. About 100 seniors attend monthly Senior Bingo fun.
“We’ve almost outgrown the Oak St. Rec. Center on Thursdays,” said Suzanne Threet, Rec. Board secretary and employee. All board members serve on a voluntary basis.
The biggest challenge the Rec. Board faces at this time is funding, Neal said.
The Oak Street pool was built in 1955, according to a headline in an archived DeQuincy News issue shared by Vance Perkins.
“A Ward Six Rec Board – Calcasieu Parish Facebook post on Jan. 30 stated: After careful consideration, the decision has been made to permanently close and fill in the pool and remove the buildings at the Oak Street Pool location. Due to the facility’s age, recent vandalism, increasing maintenance and repair costs, declining usage, and the fact that the pool remaining in its current state presents a safety hazard, it is no longer practical or financially responsible to continue operating or maintaining the site. The Rec Center will remain open and operational.”
There is no information available at this time regarding the Rec. Board’s future plans or funding. Neal said he will share news as it becomes available and looks forward to doing so.
In the meantime, here’s a rundown of an anticipated splash pad for the area, and clarification of who owns and manages ball field property.
Plans for a splash pad are in the works as a City of DeQuincy project, according to Neal.
The City owns the DeQuincy Ball Fields, formerly the Union Pacific Ball fields located on 325 Velmer St. The Rec. Board leases this property for $1 per year, and maintains the fields. Recently, heavy equipment was spotted at DeQuincy Sports Complex Ball Fields. Neal said it was preliminary work on two fields that have not been “up to par” since the 2020 hurricanes.
The City of DeQuincy sold the DeQuincy High School Softball fields, located on Overton St., to Calcasieu Parish School Board.
A DeQuincy News article published Jan. 18, states the City received $215,000 for the property. This money has been allocated to be used for improvement at Grand Avenue Park, the George Thompson Park and to put in a splash pad.
The Rec. Board is funded through parish property taxes, also referred to as ad valorem taxes. Ward 6 Rec. Board operational costs are funded through a portion of the ad valorem tax monies, approximately $200,000 per year, which helps cover costs, according to Neal.
Area residents, not just residents inside the city limits, may contact the Rec. Board at info@wardsixrecboard.com
