By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — Final Negotiations are underway with the lease contract for the St. John Community Center and the Louisiana Institute of Film Technology.

As previously reported, LIFT agreed to spend $12,000 per month, plus utilities of the 40,000 square foot, $6.5 million multi-purpose building for at least one year.

Councilman Sean Roussel said everything should be in place by the end of this week.

&#8220We met with LIFT last week,” Roussel said. &#8220Monica has been given the authority to finalize all the negotiations.”

Roussel said LIFT would only be using about two-thirds of the building, and that the rest of the building will be open for rental for community use and events.

The Community Center has not officially opened yet, according to St. John Parish Chief Administrative Officer Natalie Robottom.

&#8220We had a couple of events that were already scheduled,” Robottom said.

&#8220Because of the delay, we went ahead and held those events, but we are still in the process of substantial completion and finalizing everything,” Roussell added.

Robottom said a grand opening will be held soon, along with a ribbon cutting ceremony.