Virginia Rebstock Loupe
December 10, 2013Review: Admin writes 80% of Laf. legislation
December 11, 2013
In 1968, a group of Cut Off residents decided that they wanted to give the people within their town something to enjoy.
So they went to Sacred Heart Catholic Church within the town and asked for land – the church owned a plot behind its location. With it, they planned to build a community pool and pool house.
Once the church complied, everything was set into motion.
And the Cut Off Youth Center was born.
Since its 1968 beginnings, the facility has transformed from a pool to an indoor and outdoor pavilion and full-fledged community recreation center capable of hosting basketball events, wedding receptions and even community-wide festivals.
“When I learned the history of this youth center, how it was built by the people, and for the community without government assistance … I was in love with it,” said COYC director D’Lynn Boudreaux. “My favorite moments are when some of these volunteers come to sit and visit with me. I always make time for them. Without our volunteers, this would not exist.”
Boudreaux said volunteerism is a huge part of why the COYC continues to tick after all of these years.
Within any given time of the year, the Cut Off Youth Center may be the host to any number of different community events that service the people of Lafourche Parish.
In the warm weather months, the pool hosts countless swimming meets for both high school and youth competition.
The youth center also hosts boxing lessons, fencing lessons, bingo events, and other programs and festivals throughout the year.
These events are multi-purposed, according to Boudreaux. She said they serve to boost the quality of life for local people, while also raising the money necessary to keep the facility afloat amidst today’s tough economic climate.
“Our funding comes from the events we hold,” Boudreaux said. “The Hurricane Festival, Cracklin’ Cook Off, Crawfish Boil Off, Biddy tournaments, swim meets, bingo, and the generous support we get from our local companies and sponsors, building and pavilion rentals, boxing events – that’s where our funding comes from.
Boudreaux said one of the events that she’s most proud of is the facility’s annual Crawfish Boil Off, which pits local chefs against one another in a ‘boil for it all’. On that day, Boudreaux said locals can pay a flat all-you-can-eat price while sampling all of the crawfish cooked by the local chefs.
The winner walks away with a trophy and bragging rights.
The people who attend go home stuffed with crawdads.
“This year will be our Third-Annual Crawfish Boil Off coming up,” Boudreaux said. “Last April, it doubled what we did the previous year. To say what events we’re most proud of, that would be the answer. That event and our Hurricane Festival are both very special.”
But when a lot of people think of the COYC, it’s basketball that first comes to mind.
That’s because the Cut Off Youth Center is the home of South Lafourche Biddy Basketball – a growing organization that now teaches the fundamentals of the sport to nearly 500 kids in that community.
Boudreaux said the facility is so proud to provide space to the community’s kids.
She noted the pride the community took this past year when the Lady Tarpons’ 11-12-year-old girls’ All-Stars took home the National Championships at a tournament in Dallas.
This coming year, the COYC will be among the local hosts for the Nationals Tournament.
“We’re close to 500 kids who are learning not just the game of basketball, but what it means to be a part of a team, as well as volunteerism,” Boudreaux said. “They are making great memories as well as friends for life. It’s a win/win situation for both the kids and the adults who are coaching.”
The COYC director said that in addition to basketball, the facility also has youth swimming and a summer recreation program – both of which continue to grow in size annually.
But for the facility, it continues to be all about the people.
Boudreaux said the facility is available to rent by anyone looking to host an event, wedding or other community gathering.
“We usually have a very full calendar,” Boudreaux said. “But if we can fit in a new event or a wedding, we do everything possible to make that happen.”
Because after all, the people were the reason for the building’s existence.
Boudreaux said that premise will never be forgotten as long as the COYC stays open.
“This Cut Off Youth Center has made an impact on many lives – both young and old,” she said. “We’re very proud of that.”
Golden Meadow native Monty Lerille fires a shot at a donkey basketball game hosted at a jam-packed Cut Off Youth Center in 2011. COYC Director D’Lynn Boudreaux said the community facility will ‘do anything’ to provide entertainment to the people of Lafourche Parish. Events like this occur all year at the facility.
