Regardless of the reason, residents of Lake Charles are going to find it hard to understand why the Diocese of Lake Charles is relocating the historic St. Louis Catholic High School. Clearly, relocating the school has been a longtime debate over the years. Many feel the Bank St. property limits the school's expansion for a stadium, baseball field, additional students, etc. However, the building of a new campus may provide for a bigger student body. Ironically, there are no plans to build a sports complex or stadium at the new location.
The community that surrounds the school, students, local businesses, alumni, teachers, and parents are speaking out about the move. They say families have built their lives around the historic school that opened in the 1800s and it should stay where it is. They say the school is the anchor of the neighborhood and downtown area. Nevertheless, a decision has been made to rebuild the school on property near the new Morganfield Subdivision in southeast Lake Charles, despite the fact it would cost far less to refurbish/improve/renovate the existing campus.