Harlan Kirgan
The Liberty Theater is to remain closed even as the city reopens and it has nothing to do with CLOVID-19.
Mayor Scott Fontenot said the Liberty Theater is in need of a new air conditioner, which cost up to $300,000.
The theater provides the stage for the Saturday night “Rendez-vous des Cajuns,” a live radio and TV show featuring Cajun and zydeco music bands. The show has been ongoing since 1987.
In recent years the theater has been closed off and on after Fontenot became mayor. A major project was to remove mold from the building. The air conditioning system is the latest issue.
Fontenot said attendance at the Saturday show has been about a hundred people.
Fontenot said he is working with the National Park Service to see if they will donate the annex next to the theater.
He also is working on forming a non-profit to take over operation of the theater.