Sw Louisiana News

On February 10, 2025, Mayor Nic Hunter and other officials from the City of Lake Charles gathered at I-10 North Beach for a groundbreaking ceremony. The event marked the beginning of two significant enhancement projects and introduced a new branding initiative for Lakefront Lake Charles.

One of the projects involves constructing two permanent restroom structures to replace those damaged beyond repair by Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020. These new facilities will adhere to City and FEMA flood elevation standards, featuring modern restrooms with ADA accessible ramps. Outdoor showers will also be included, and city staff will have the ability to secure these restrooms when the beach is closed.

The construction is set to begin this month, with completion expected by September, weather permitting. Funding comes from the City's capital projects budget and FEMA reimbursements. Randy M. Goodloe, AIA APAC is overseeing architectural aspects while Gunter Construction, Inc has been awarded the construction contract.

Another project includes upgrading lighting along the beach. Existing light poles have been refurbished with sanding and painting; new fixtures are anticipated to arrive between early to mid-April. This project is funded through City funds and a private donation from Westlake Chemical.

In addition to these developments, the City launched its new Lakefront Lake Charles brand during the ceremony. A dedicated website (https://lakefrontatlakecharles.com) provides information on current lakefront assets, ongoing projects, and economic development incentives for potential developers. The site highlights amenities such as Port Wonder, Crying Eagle, Cypress Alligator Pond among others.

A specific landing page for Port Wonder was also announced at www.portwonder.org which aims to connect visitors with this upcoming lakefront destination that will feature a Children’s Museum alongside a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Science Center.

“This is an exciting day for our lakefront and for our community,” said Mayor Nic Hunter during his address at the event. “With Port Wonder nearing completion...we are changing the face of our City’s welcome sign...It’s been a long time coming but we’re finally there.”

For further updates or news regarding City initiatives visit www.cityoflakecharles.com or follow their social media handles on Facebook (@LakeCharlesLouisiana) or Instagram (@lccityhall).