By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A pair of recreational improvement projects that broke ground last summer are on pace for completion in the second half of 2011.

The Reserve boat launch and a new gymnasium facility in Reserve’s Regala Park, two long awaited recreational improvements for the east bank, are now both progressing on schedule and both are expected to be completed this summer, according to parish officials.

The pilings and dock at the boat launch were completely removed and rebuilt. The launch area is open and ready for use. The remainder of the project, which includes a paved parking area, better lighting, picnic pavilions and the addition of a pair of retention ponds, will continue to be worked on throughout spring and into summer.

The project is funded by dollars left over from a 2002 bond issue, along with a $178,000 federal grant from the Wallop-Breaux Foundation for sporting and fishing improvements. State Rep. Nickie Monica, who was parish president when the bond issue was approved, said the parish wanted to move forward on dreging and other improvements in the boat launch area at that time, but the parish garnered resistence from landowners over the parish’s right to clear the canal. He said the improvements got side-tracked by hurricane-related issues and the parish allowed a contract to do the work to expire.

In January, the St. John Council approved a $12,300 change order to the budget for the project to accommodate the addition of 13 new pilings for the pier. The change was required for the launch to meet appropriate safety standards, according to parish engineer C.J. Savoie. The change brings the total cost of the project to about $552,000.

Meanwhile, construction is also underway at Regala park on a long awaited gymnasium for the parish. Officials broke ground on the $2.2 million project in July and it is expected to be completed in August.

The 15,000-square-foot facility, which includes a 359-seat gym, recreation department offices, a conference room, kitchen and concession stand is the starting point for further improvements to the Regala Park area. Parish President Natalie Robottom said the recreation department is currently working on a checklist of other improvements that will help return the park to the prime recreational facility it once was.

The $2.2 million price tag is about $440,000 below the estimated budget of $2.7 million. The entire cost of construction is being funded through money out of the $29.5 million bond issue, which was approved by voters in April of 2009.