NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today was joined by Director of Capital Projects Administration (CPA) Vincent Smith, New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission CEO Larry Barabino Jr., NORD Commission Chairman Theo Sanders III and District C Councilmember and NORD Commission Member Freddie King, III to officially break ground on the pool renovations at Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Park in Algiers.
“This is a great day in our city and a long time coming as we make sure we create a functional and versatile outdoor facility for the Algiers community,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “This project will be a bright spot not only here in Algiers but also in the City of New Orleans. I always want to thank our residents for approving the use of bond funds back in 2019, which has ensured projects like this, and many others, come to fruition. Thank you to the Algiers neighborhood for always being intentional and vocal about the needs of your community; we hear you, and we are acting.”
The scope of work will include the construction of a new 75’ x 45’ swimming pool and outdoor splash-pad inlayed within the former outdoor swimming pool footprint. The new pool will be constructed to allow both regulation lap swimming as well as recreational use. The pool portion of the facility will be covered by a new enclosure featuring large operable openings on three sides and a central skylight running down the length of the roof, allowing the entire facility to continue to operate as an outdoor pool facility in conjunction with the adjoining splash pad in the summertime, while also allowing for the building to be enclosed and heated for expanded year-round use.
In addition, the 10,538 square foot facility will include:
- Replacement of pool decking, pumps and all other equipment
- Heating and ventilation systems for climatization of the facility
- Enlarged and hardened pump room with separate chemical storage closets
- Support facilities for the pool, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible locker rooms
- Reception and office areas, lifeguard/break room area and storage
Stormwater management and retention features will address increased flooding concerns within the 46,468 square-foot site.
“This is going to be a great facility for the city and the residents of the Algiers neighborhood,” said Smith. “I want to take a moment and thank the project architects, Concordia Architects, who have been great partners with the city and have done amazing work across our communities. As one of the best architects in the city, they are very progressive and thoughtful in terms of dealing with the community and designing projects our communities need.”
Under the Cantrell Administration, a of total of $83 million has been invested into Capital Projects in Council District C. Below are some highlights of these projects.
Completed Projects in District C include:
- $1.8 million Algiers Courthouse Repairs
- $1.3 million Brechtel Memorial Park Improvements (Lagoon Repairs/Improvements)
- $781,098 Norman Playground – Play Equipment Installations
- $579,727 Bodenger Playground
- $176,321 Lambert Park Walking Path and Field Regrade
- $125,281 Collins Park Walking Path
- $82,857 Huff Park Walking Path
Projects under construction in District C include:
- $8 million New Orleans Police Department Fourth District Police Station
Upcoming projects in District C include:
- $4.3 million Skelly Rupp Stadium Repairs
- $857,792 Cut-Off Recreation Center Splash Pad and Walking Path
“This is another exciting day for us here at NORD,” said Barabino Jr. “As we continue to stand with our motto ‘Something for Everyone,’ ensuring we provide access to recreation to all communities within the City of New Orleans. In NORD’s portfolio, there are four year around swimming pools but none are located in the Algiers neighborhood so, the right thing to do was not only to renovate this antiquated pool but bring the entire facility up to today’s code. This facility will also feature a splash pad for our toddlers. I am excited about this project to come to fruition for the neighborhood of Algiers and I look forward to hosting the 2024 Splash Day right here.”
“This a very exciting opportunity for Algiers, and this is exciting for the City of New Orleans,” said Sanders. “This is one of many projects that we are doing here in Algiers, and you will see a lot of groundbreakings happening. As I said, these projects are delayed but not denied, and we have been doing everything we can to create ‘Something for Everyone.’”
NORD is still recruiting lifeguards for the summer and year-round season who will staff pools and teach swimming, water safety instruction and aquatic programming at NORD pools. NORD’s goal is to open as many pools as possible on a full-time basis once more lifeguards have been onboarded. Currently, NORD has a total of 96 potential lifeguards that are in different phases of the process, including 41 that are fully certified and onboarded. Those interested should apply at nordc.org/lifeguards/.
“This project speaks to the partnership between Mayor Cantrell, CEO Barabino, Chairman Sanders, Director Smith, myself and the entire Algiers community,” said Councilmember King. “This community for decades has asked for renovations and upgrades to be done at this facility, and I am proud that we are finally answering their call. As a child growing up in this community swimming right here in this pool, this project means a lot to me personally and now will mean a lot to generations to come.”
###