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Council votes to auction Fairfield pool property; councilmembers raise concerns about loss of neighborhood playground
Summary
St. Charles Parish Council declared the former Fairfield pool property surplus and authorized an auction May 5; council discussion flagged loss of an on-site playground and neighborhood access, and two council members voted against the sale.
The St. Charles Parish Council on May 5 approved an ordinance (file number 2025-0129) declaring the parish-owned property at 102 Stephen Drive (commonly known as the Fairfield pool and adjacent recreational area) no longer needed for a public purpose and authorized an exclusive listing/auction agreement with SVN/Gilmore Auction & Realty to sell the property.
Why it matters: Council discussion revealed the parcel includes a pool, clubhouse and a children’s play set that the Recreation Department had been maintaining. Councilwoman O’Daniels objected to selling the parcel because the sale would remove the neighborhood’s “pocket park” and play equipment; she and Councilwoman Carmardale cast the meeting’s only recorded nay votes.
Details: Administration staff said the property had been leased for several years to the Fairfield homeowners association, which stopped operating the facility after insurance costs and maintenance burdens increased. An appraisal dated March 30, 2025 was referenced and the administration recommended starting the auction at the property’s liquidated value. Staff said continued ownership would require the parish to maintain buildings and a pool that have deteriorated.
During the hearing, Recreation staff and council members confirmed the playground is on the same legal parcel as the pool and would be included in any sale. Council members discussed whether the playground set could be relocated; staff noted a playground recently installed at the IMTT site could receive additional funds but is not within safe walking distance for Fairfield neighborhood children because it would require use of River Road. The auction was described as likely to be scheduled within 45–60 days.
Outcome: The council approved the ordinance. The vote passed with two recorded nays (Councilwoman Carmardale and Councilwoman O’Daniels); the remainder voted to approve.
Quotes (from the record): “Losing the playset as well — that’s news to me,” Councilwoman O’Daniels said. “I think that’s a big loss for that community.” Staff: “It is all one property that we auctioned off.”
Where this goes next: Administration will proceed with the listing/auction process with SVN/Gilmore per the terms presented; council discussion indicated interest in whether the play set could be moved or replaced in another nearby location, but no directive to relocate equipment was recorded.
