Little Caillou Park Pool was originally opened in 1961 in Chauvin, Louisiana as an outdoor body of water for recreation and lap swimming. The unique trapezoid shape covers approximately 5,300 sq. ft. of water, and up to 11’-0” of water depth. The pool was later renovated to install a permanent bulkhead and 25-yard lap swimming capabilities for local age group swimming.
The pool was heavily damaged in 2021 by Hurricane Ida, which resulted in the complete destruction of the pump house and mechanical systems.
Counsilman-Hunsaker was engaged by The Merlin Group, Ltd. on behalf of the Terrebonne Parish Recreation District 7 to provide a pool assessment and identify the damages related to the Hurricane as part of a larger FEMA Damages Assessment.
The team completed an in-person assessment of the facility in July 2022 to investigate the physical condition of the pool and systems, code compliance, and accessibility compliance.
The final report highlighted which items required immediate repair and which items would be necessary to bring the aging facility up to current codes, as well as an Opinion of Probable Cost for repairs for each category. Significant settlement of the pool shell was a major concern both before and after the hurricane. The challenges presented by groundwater on a pool shell were increased by the proximity to nearby levees and the Gulf of Mexico as well as the pool sitting empty since Hurricane Ida.
