A community the size of greater LaPlace, which routinely draws in neighbors from parishes on all sides, deserves basic entertainment options.

Local residents should be able to take for granted quality parks, movie theater choices and a bowling alley.

Where LaPlace once lacked in these areas, steps are being taken by local business and parish leaders to fill those gaps.

St. John Government leaders broke ground in July on more than $2 million in enhancements to parks and recreational spaces all over the St. John the Baptist Parish — an effort that should be complete by early next year.

Last week, Parish President Natalie Robottom teamed with Riverlands Shopping Center managing partners and Acadiana Cinemas owners to announce the opening of a renovated movie theater in LaPlace — slated for March.

Officials for Acadiana Cinemas, which has locations in Opelousas, Natchitoches, Picayune, Miss., and Eunice, told L’OBSERVATEUR that LaPlace is the perfect market to invest in because the company renovates older theaters that are outdated by modern standards.

The report is welcomed good news for local residents who saw the theater, which previously operated as Hollywood Cinemas 7, close Sept. 11 and fall victim to vandalism the next day when its front window was busted.

“When we’ve gone in and completely renovated these theaters and made them new again, they have done well,” Acadiana Cinemas co-owner Doug Collins said. “Virtually everything inside the theater that the customer touches is going to be new. We are going to replace all carpeting and wall coverings, and we’ll paint everything. The biggest change is going to be, when you get inside of the auditoriums. They are going to have stadium seating. Right now, the LaPlace theater has what is called sloped floors.”

The theater’s reopening and renovation is something for all to celebrate.

“We are pleased that Acadiana Cinemas chose to invest in St. John Parish by restoring a facility that gives our youth, adults and families the opportunity for safe and wholesome entertainment,” Robottom said. “We look forward to working with the owners and the Bruno Brothers for a grand opening in the near future.”

The upgrades in our parks and at our theater are commendable. Just think of how great it would be to cap off this string of good news with a bowling alley announcement.