ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- While many Opelousas residents are excited about the construction of a new community center, concern has bubbled up from the news that the project will require the demolition of an 85-year-old pool.

Finding a happy medium between progress and preservation is a major topic of discussion in Opelousas.

Opelousas resident Shauna Sias is among those who is torn between the benefits new projects can bring as well as the memories that historic structures keep.

"All of the additions that they're making with that master plan, I think it would be a great revenue coming into the city, especially with the baseball parks and all of that. But we're supposed to be a historic city, you know, and this pool right here comes from 1939," Sias said.

Hearing the news of the plans to demolish the pool has residents like Sias reminiscing on childhood memories at the pool, but also looking at alternative options to restore the pool as a way to help the community.

Acknowledging that drowning has been a leading cause for death and injuries for minors, Sias said making the pool functional again gives the city a chance to lower that statistic and get more people active.

"You know, taking this away is absolutely taking away from the city. It's taking away to be able to teach the children how to swim. Opelousas High School has a swim team. There's only four people on it. And I'm certain it's not because there's only four people interested in swimming," Sias said.

As the third oldest city in Louisiana, Sias hopes officials make more calculated decisions to preserve history while helping the city move forward.

"I know that opposite of opinions will happen. I get that. But what I'm asking them to do is think of the benefit. Don't be so quick to demolish history. Don't be so quick to tear down things. There is absolutely benefit in restoration," Sias said.

"Getting rid of this is not only taking away the fight to get it here, we have to prepare not only the children, but the adults too. It's great for health reasons. It's for good to leave this here. It's just lazy to uproot this pool. It's lazy," Sias continued.

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