Lafayette, LA — The future of the former Truman Early Childhood Education Center building was the focal point of a public meeting held Monday evening at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Edison Street. Local residents gathered to share their ideas and hopes for the repurposing of the facility, which is slated to become a new community center.
The Truman Early Childhood Education Center, a landmark building constructed in the 1950s on Clara Street, closed its doors in January after the school relocated to a new facility on Willow Street. Since then, many have been eager to see the site transformed into a resource that benefits the community.
Among the attendees was Anthony Lewis, a former Truman student, who expressed strong support for developing the area. “I was born and raised in the Truman area, so I think it would be an asset to our community to develop some positive things at that school and that area,” Lewis said. He emphasized the potential for the site to accommodate after-school programs and serve the needs of older residents.
Kevin Ardoin, whose children attended Truman when it was open, also voiced his approval of the project. “Like anything else, it’s either going to turn into blight or turn into something that’s not going to impact the whole community. It’s like, the facility is there, we’ve got the space, we have the need, so why not use it for the good of the community?” he said.
Among the ideas proposed during the meeting was the creation of a performing arts center. Local singer and actor Devon Norman suggested transforming the space into a hub for music and theater, including a section dedicated to music studios. “A collaboration of things,” Norman said, highlighting the potential for a space that supports both the arts and the community.
Councilman Elroy Broussard, who helped facilitate the event, emphasized the importance of community involvement in the planning process. “I’m certain they’ve got great ideas. We want a thousand different ideas for what we should do—from the ground up, to the bottom, to the top and even the color scheme,” Broussard said. He also stressed the need to preserve the history of Truman while ensuring the building remains a functional and valuable space for the residents of Lafayette.
As discussions continue, it is clear that there is strong community interest in revitalizing the former Truman building. The hope is to create a space that will provide educational and recreational opportunities for residents of all ages while maintaining the rich history of the Truman area.