Freddie Howard
July 16, 2007
Murphy Candies, Jr.
July 18, 2007
The Thibodaux Civic Center arena area will be closed to the public for six months.
The closure began June 25 to begin the process of making the final repairs to damages caused by the one-two punch of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Thibodaux Civic Center director Trudy Clement said the six-month estimate should be right on target and the public shouldn’t expect the repairs to be finished sooner.
But, she also said it shouldn’t take more than six months.
The repairs will cost $2.2 million and BETCO Construction Company will take on the task.
Various repairs will be made to recover from the water damage left by Rita, after Katrina ripped the roof off the building.
The original catwalk system will be replaced with a new metal decking system.
The stage rigging will also be replaced along with the lighting and sound systems.
Thibodaux Mayor Charles Caillouet apologized for the inconvenience the lengthy repairs will cause walkers that come to exercise.
“We have a lot of people that would come here and walk,” said Clement. “We might have 100 people that come here to walk on a daily basis.”
Clement said the walkers are usually waiting for the staff to open the arena’s doors at 6 a.m. in the morning.
Mayor Caillouet, along with the arena’s staff, are recommending walkers use one of the many walking trails in the city, including the one right next to the arena.
“We have some really nice walking trails in this city,” said Clement.
The Plantation Room in the arena will remain fully operational during the repair process.
The Thibodaux Civic Center is undergoing a $2.2 million repair job. For the next six months, BETCO Construction Company workers will be repairing the roof and water damage caused during hurricanes Katrina and Rita. * Staff photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN
