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John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.

He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.

John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.

John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.

He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.

 

TERMS DISCUSSED FOR YMCA LEASE/MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT FOR $10 MILLION PICKLEBALL COMPLEX

Caddo Administrator Erica Bryant advised the Caddo Commission at its work session Monday that the Parish had a “verbal agreement” with the YMCA for a land lease for the $10 million pickleball complex to be constructed on the Forbing YMCA property although she did not provide any details.
 
Here is the most recent written correspondence on this proposed lease and management agreement.
 
From: Raymond Lee on behalf of Raymond Lee <RLee@ymcanwla.org>
To: ebryant@caddo.org; Patrick Wesley; cwalker@caddo.org
Subject: Caddo Parish and YMCA meeting 1/15/2026
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 6:04:57 PM
 
Greetings,
I appreciate your time last Thursday and just wanted to follow up with conversation points.

  • Property is approximately 15 acres. Parish is wanting to have 12-13 acres for park, will know more as design is being completed

  • Requested annual salary for pickleball employees (employee based on 56 hours a week, 8 hours per day, seven days):

    • Front Desk, concessions, and court official $172,972.80

    • Front Desk, concessions, court officials plus pickleball pro $237,772.80

      • Possible conversation of concessions being an expense the Parish would contract out.

  • Annual lease of $60,000.00 was discussed

    • Offer was made for revenue share. We are interested in this option but want to make sure project for the YMCA is financially safe.

  • Also, pickleball/park was the priority with the following options:

    • Athletic or soccer fields

    • Possible frontage road property for YMCA to lease for additional money (having frontage space to lease could lend itself to a discussion on lower lease on property Parish would lease)

  • Contract terms for 30 years

    • Would like a 1-year evaluation and then every 2-3 years after the first initial year

I am excited about this project, the Y would love to be part of this project’s success, and I am open to further discussion. Again, the YMCA’s position is financially okay, but we cannot have projects that do not cover expenses.

I am setting a board meeting to discuss this project. I will let you know when that meeting is scheduled but should be next week. Confirming enough can attend for majority vote.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Raymond L. Lee, Jr.
YMCA Chief Executive Officer
Office 318 674 9635
Cell 318 458 1165
Fax 318 674 9639

WISHLIST FOR PLANNED $10 MILLION PICKLEBALL COMPLEX