Facility

THE EDWARD A. DUFRESNE COMMUNITY CENTER IS A 30,000-SQUARE-FOOT MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FACILITY OWNED AND OPERATED BY ST. CHARLES PARISH.  IT INCLUDES A 13,900-SQUARE-FOOT GYM SPACE AND A 2,055-SQUARE-FOOT MEETING ROOM SPACE, WHICH CAN BE RENTED FOR PRIVATE AND NON-PROFIT EVENTS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION.  

OTHER AMENITIES INCLUDE A FULL-SERVICE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, A CONCESSION STAND AND OFFICE SPACE FOR PARISH DEPARTMENTS WHICH SERVE LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS, INCLUDING PARKS AND RECREATION, THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THE FACILITY, BUILT TO WITHSTAND 130 MPH WINDS AND POWERED BY A BACKUP GENERATOR, WILL BE UTILIZED AS A SHELTER FOR CERTAIN EMERGENCY EVENTS AND FOR POST DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS.  THE AMPLE INDOOR SPACE AND PARKING LOT MAKE IT IDEAL FOR SMALL JOB AND CRAFT FAIRS, TRADE AND CAR SHOWS, WEDDING RECEPTIONS, BRIDAL AND BABY SHOWERS, REUNIONS, DANCE RECITALS, TOWN HALLS, ATHLETIC EVENTS, AND MUCH MORE.

FUNDING WAS PROVIDED BY A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV THROUGH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - DISASTER RECOVERY UNIT, A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT THROUGH THE STATE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, A FEMA HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT THROUGH THE STATE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND THE PARISH GENERAL FUND.