The Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park is undergoing a $20 million "redo" funded by Parish revenue bonds. The park should open soon--maybe next month.
Once the park is open, the Commission should request a final accounting of all the funds expended for this facility. Of particular interest will be whether or not the total costs exceded $20 million and if so, what Parish funds were tapped to pay the bond revenue overrun. How well this construction was managed by the Parish administration will give a reference point to determine the Parish's ability to manage construction of the proposed $10 million complex.
As planned the YMCA will manage the pickleball complex. The Parish Commission donated $2 million to help underwrite the development of a youth baseball and softball complex. The City of Shreveport contributed $1.5 million to the project.
The initial projections were for this complex to open by December of this year or early spring 2026. Reportedly the construction timeline has been substantially delayed for various reasons. A detailed status report on this project would give a reference point to measure the management credentials of the YMCA for the pickleball complex.
Due diligence by the Caddo Commission should be undertaken BEFORE a vote on this $10 million proposal. Gaining the information on costs of the park renovation and a status report on the YMCA project will certainly provide important information on the management abilities of both the Caddo Parish administration and the YMCA of large scale construction projects.