Mold problem at Liberty worse then first thought

Black mold problems at the Liberty Theater were worse than initially thought, Eunice Mayor Scott Fonenot said.
In May the historic theater was closed for repairs to leaks in the roof and to stop moisture problems.
The Liberty Theater was built in the 1920s and has been the site of the Rendez-vous des Cajuns show, which as been moved to Ruby’s on 2nd Street.
“This is a historic building and to me it is the crown jewel for the city,” Fontenot said. “So, we’ve got maintain it.”
Removing the black mold is costly $68,500, he said. The National Parks Service is paying $8,500 to address the mold issue in the annex to the theater.
“The black mold was pretty much all over the second and third levels, he said.
There was airborne mold in 90 percent of the building, he said.
The work is being done by Bennett Primes of Scott.
“When this company leaves it is going to be fresh and clean. The roof has been completely repaired,” Fontenot said.
Morgan Roofing Company, of Lake Charles, has repaired roof and drainage problems at the theater at a cost of $450, Fontenot said.
The mold remediation started July 9 and is expected to be completed by Tuesday or Wednesday, Derik Thomas, of Bennett Primes, said.
On Thursday, air filter machines and fans were placed throughout the theater.
Stairwells to the upper levels of the building were sealed off and face masks were required to enter the second and third floors.
Fontenot said, “This is something that did not happened overnight. Unfortunately, it was really bad. Worse than we originally thought.”
A new backdrop for the stage has been completed at a cost of $10,000, he said.
Renovations to the theater may bring the cost up to $100,000, Fontenot said.
The Rendez-vous des Cajun show may return to the Libery Theater by July 23.