An unofficial voter turnout of 5% gave renewal of a Calcasieu Parish Ward 3 recreation property tax a winning margin of 83% to 17%. The results from the 62 Ward 3 precincts and early and absentee votes was 2,585 votes for and 526 against.

The 5.5 mill property tax for Recreation District No. 1 of Ward 3 is being renewed for 10 years beginning in 2025. The tax brings in an estimated $4.9 million a year to help operate 12 recreation facilities in the ward.

There are indoor weight rooms and tracks at some of the centers and those who use the weight rooms pay $10 per month. Soccer and baseball fields, and skateboarding draw hundreds of young athletes and parents to the outdoor facilities.

The six main programs are geared towards youth and seniors and they include swim aerobics, dance and strength classes, bingo, and bean bag baseball. Fees are charged for the classes.

Kip Texada is executive director of the 12 centers. They include the Power Centre & Notatorium, Pryce/Miller Community Center, Enos Derbonne Sports Complex, Martin Luther King Center, University Park, Senior Center, Huber Park, Second Avenue Aquatics Center, University Aquatics Center, Lake Charles-Boston football stadium, Alvin Dark baseball stadium and Foreman/Reynaud Community Center & Aquatics Center.