Mayor Nic Hunter, joined by other area elected officials and representatives from Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana and Cheniere Energy, announced the grand opening of the Cheniere Energy Boys & Girls Club at Columbus Circle Recreation Center in Lake Charles on Friday, January 15, 2021.

“This is a big day for Lake Charles,” said Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. “When we announced the establishment of this collaborative partnership nearly a year ago we had no idea the challenges we would face in 2020. We are so proud of this partnership and thankful to Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana and Cheniere Energy for their dedication to getting this Club location open. We recognize the challenges we have all had to overcome to get to this point and now, more than ever, this Club is critical to serving the youth of our community.” 

The City contributed use of Columbus Circle Recreation Center and Cheniere Energy in addition to contributing $100,000 to the partnership, is working with Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana on developing a long-term partnership for the Lake Charles facility. 

“The Cheniere Foundation is proud to make this significant investment in the lives of children in Southwest Louisiana. This partnership with the Boys & Girls Club will help ensure that students across the region will have access to programs and services that will prepare our next generation of leaders,” added Amy Miller, Supervisor of Local Government and Public Affairs for Cheniere Energy.

To add to the impact, Chevron and First National Bank of Louisiana have also made financial contributions to assist with the establishment of the Lake Charles club. 

Chevron’s investment of $50,000 will help significantly offset the cost of club services to members who register for the afterschool and summer program. The funds will also help provide members with important resources such as STEM learning technology and school supplies. 

“The launch of this club is an important milestone for the community and will have a huge positive impact on the lives of many young men and women,” said Leah Brown, Corporate Affairs Manager of Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. “We are proud to be a part of the expansion of Boys & Girls Club into Southwest Louisiana. Our goal through this contribution is to make the club even more accessible and to provide important resources that will allow the club and its members to thrive.” 

First National Bank of Louisiana funded the Cheniere Energy Club Technology Center, providing computers, tablets, and other technology related items, ensuring that club kids have what they need to succeed.

This year marks the 51st anniversary of Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana and the Lake Charles project represents the organization’s first expansion into a new community in more than 20 years.

“On behalf of the Corporate Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana, we are thrilled to finally celebrate this milestone by officially opening the Cheniere Energy Club here in Lake Charles,” said Ben Lognion, Chair of Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana. “The commitment of Cheniere Energy, the City of Lake Charles, and our BGC Acadiana team to get this project across the finish line after such an extraordinary year is something we should all be proud of.”  

Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana operates under a mission to enable all young people, especially those with the most need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

In July of 2018 Mayor Nic Hunter, on behalf of the City of Lake Charles, launched the citywide Partners in Parks initiative aimed at combining private and public dollars to improve park infrastructure and expand programming. Since its inception, Partners in Parks has added more than three quarters million dollars into City parks with no additional burden to tax payers.