By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

CONVENT – Dr. Alonzo “Lonnie” Luce; the Superintendent of St. James Parish School District dropped in to provide an update on the progress of
the new St. James
High School during the council’s recent meeting.
Luce brought in architect Perry Segura to provide an update
on the first phase of
the school’s construction. The firm is currently overseeing the
creation of an access road that would cut between Lousiana Highways 3127 and 20. The access road will have gates at both entrances to prevent the general public from using it as a
shortcut. It is due for completion by the month’s end.
Luce said the school district has already released a bid package for the construction of the school’s new stadium, the
next phase of construction. According to
Luce, the contractor
has a six-month time frame to complete the $6.5 million stadium. Segura gave a rundown of the new stadium’s specs: the 28,000-seat arena will feature 22 handicap-accessible seats, a press box, ticket office, two practice fields and concession stands, a ticket office, meeting/dressing rooms, underground storage, a rubberized eight-lane running track and a turf field. The facility will be fenced.
A lighted, 270-car parking lot will also
be constructed, with room for overflow
parking on the football field and parking
for ambulances and buses. It will include lighted walkways, said Segura.
District 6 Councilman Ken Brass asked whether the school district planned to do any road improvements for the bordering highways to prepare for the influx of traffic to the new stadium. Segura responded that only Highway 20 would require improvements, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development standards. The improvements would commence after construction on the stadium begins.
Sheriff Willy Martin also made an appearance at the meeting to discuss the likelihood of using the St. James Parish Youth Detention Center building for a minimum security prison, an idea that was suggested by District 3 Councilman Terry McCreary.
“I really wish I had a little more positive information for you,” said Martin.
Martin said two Louisiana Workforce representatives, including a general manager who oversees privitized work-release programs, visited the facility to discuss utlizing the building for that purpose.
Martin said they were initially receptive after seeing the outside of the building but were concerned about the cost to start up and operate the facility, based on its size and layout.
“He liked the big building, but was not fond of the pod operations, and felt like he would have to put a lot of money into it to make it operational,” said Martin.
He went on to say that they may meet in the future to discuss lease-to-purchase arrangements. As of now, a work-release program is “still doable,” but Martin admitted he was not feeling as confident about the property.
In other news, Brass also announced that the qualifying dates for the upcoming 6th District Justice of the Peace election will be from Aug. 14 to 16. The election will take place on Oct. 19.