Lafayette Consolidated Government is reviewing three requests for proposals for public-private partnerships to operate and maintain four recreation centers.
Those centers have been the topic of debate after Mayor-President Josh Guillory announced their closure and then said the facilities would remain open.
KATC Investigates learned the three proposals bring very different ideas to the table.
SMILE Community Action Agency, Culture Ministries and Cycle Breakers Coalition are vying to be awarded the contracts. We're told the proposals are being reviewed and none have been awarded.
Guillory said, "We're still analyzing though. We have a lot of work to do to make sure we get the best product and services for the people we're blessed to serve."
Culture Ministries, a nonprofit is proposing operating and maintaining the J. Carlton James Activity Center.
Culture Ministries would cover all utilities and expenses, saying they would share 40 percent of all revenue with LCG. Their goal is to expand services, including building a pool. LCG though is only looking for proposals on the buildings. Culture Ministries would pay for all materials and labor to revamp the center. If awarded a contract, Culture Ministries is looking for LCG to pay two to 15 million dollars with options to renew the contract.
SMILE Community Action Agency is only looking at the Domingue Rec Center and the Heymann Park Rec Center.
If SMILE is awarded a contract, the goal is to provide child care at the Domingue Center and expand before and after school services. SMILE would maintain current activities at both center, but include new activities like community expos, parenting training and computer classes. If awarded a contract, SMILE is looking for LCG to pay between $600,000 to six million dollars with options to renew.
Cycle Breakers Coalition is the only organization proposing to lease and operate all four rec centers.
CBC says if selected, they want an expert to inspect the properties to see if there are any extraordinary or unusual repairs. CBC would hire 10 employees and is ready to begin operation on September 1. The organization would provide scholarships for services to those who can't pay. If awarded a contract, CBC would pay LCG "a fair compensation each year," 10 percent of net profit from the centers operations and utilities and insurance.
Guillory maintains public-private partnerships will help save money and provide better services.
The next step is for the applicants to go through an interview process.
"There's some questions that will need to be clarified to make sure we're doing the best we can and doing our own due diligence," Guillory said.
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