The Lafayette City Council on Tuesday examined a proposal from Mayor-President Monique Boulet that would set aside a combined $3 million for maintenance of city recreation assets in the 2026-27 fiscal year. Council members discussed earmarking $1 million each for repairs and upkeep of recreation centers and activity centers, public golf courses, and tennis courts.
Longstanding repairs push costs higher
Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux stressed that years of deferred maintenance have left some facilities in disrepair. He pointed to the Domingue Center on Mudd Avenue, where he noted broken floor tiles, the absence of the building’s sign and a sidewalk that has been wrapped in orange caution tape for years.
The O.J. Mouton Pool, also on Mudd Avenue and the only public Olympic-size pool in the city, has been closed for several years. According to discussion during the budget review, estimates that once would have placed repairs in the several-hundred-thousand-dollar range now exceed $1 million because of deferred work.
Budget context and priorities
Mayor-President Boulet’s proposed operating budget for the fiscal year beginning Nov. 1, 2026, includes a General Fund balance projected at 52 percent — approximately $67 million — above the administration’s stated aim of keeping fund balances at least 20 percent of operating expenses.
"The intent of the Lafayette Consolidated Government administration is to maintain balances in the city and parish General Funds equal to at least 20% of the total fund’s operating expenses each year."
Council members framed the requested set-asides as targeted investments to address safety and usability concerns that have accumulated over multiple administrations. Councilwoman Liz Hebert specifically urged that $1 million be dedicated to making local tennis courts safe, saying some are in such poor condition that players risk injury.
- $1 million proposed for maintenance of recreation centers and two activity centers
- $1 million proposed for maintenance of public golf courses
- $1 million proposed to repair and make city tennis courts safe
Political and personnel background
Speakers during the budget review referenced cuts and restructuring under the prior mayor-president. Former Mayor-President Josh Guillory — not named directly during all exchanges — had called for 20 percent cuts across departments and proposed closing four recreation centers on the city’s northside, according to meeting discussion. In 2020, Gerald Boudreaux resigned after more than 40 years leading the parks and recreation department; he remains a state senator and is the brother of Kenneth Boudreaux.
Council members face the task of weighing the proposed set-asides against other budgetary pressures while ensuring that the city’s financial reserves meet stated targets. Supporters of the funding argued that addressing deferred maintenance now could prevent higher costs in the future and restore public access to facilities such as the O.J. Mouton Pool.
| Target | Proposed Amount |
|---|---|
| Recreation/activity centers | $1,000,000 |
| Public golf courses | $1,000,000 |
| Tennis courts | $1,000,000 |
The council review is part of the annual budget process for the fiscal year that runs Nov. 1, 2026, through Oct. 31, 2027. If the council approves the allocation, residents could see a phased program of repairs and improvements across the city’s recreation portfolio. Officials have not yet set a public schedule for which projects would be completed first.
Residents who use Lafayette’s parks, pools, courts and golf facilities are likely to watch the council’s deliberations closely. Restoring long-closed or unsafe amenities would affect neighborhood access to recreational programming, competitive sports and public green space across the city.
— Reported for WE NEWS by Danielle Boudreaux, State Correspondent.
