By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

RESERVE — Officials from the Louisiana National Guard said that a ribbon cutting has been scheduled for sometime early next year to open a new guard fleet readiness center in Reserve.

Maj. Michael Kazmierzak, a public relations representative for the Louisiana National Guard, said the official opening of the 40,000 square foot facility was pushed back by the onset of Hurricane’s Gustav and Ike, which blew through the River Parishes last month.

“Unfortunately, we have been a bit preoccupied with these storms,” said Kazmierzak. “There are actually a few readiness centers due to open in the coming months and Reserve is just one on the list.”

Kazmierzak said that the state must first transfer the center into the hands of the guard before it can be officially opened. Aegis Construction of LaPlace wrapped up construction on the $17 million facility in July of this year.

When the readiness center officially opens, it will be the stationing point for the 1,084th Transportation Company for the Louisiana National Guard. St. John Public Information Officer Buddy Boe said the facility would mostly be used as a deployment facility for the Guard, while preparing for any sort of natural disaster that may plague the area. He said the Guard considered several sites statewide before deciding on St. John Parish.

“It was thought as the best place for deployment of troops,” said Boe. “We are on high ground, we are in close proximity to two major cities, and two interstate interchanges run through the area. The Guard felt this would be the best place to serve the region.”

The on-site staff will be small in number, with a Captain and First Sergeant available at all times. The facility is set up to support about 176 guardsmen during any event that requires the mobilization of forces.

The center has been built to withstand 150 mile per hour winds, and could be used as a hurricane shelter should the need arise. The center was built on 15-acres of parish-donated land between Regala Park and the St. John Airport. It will replace the company’s previous home, Camp Villere, near Slidell, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.