AMY SZPARA

LAPLACE – St. John Parish will one day have a recreational facility for its residents on the west bank if parish administration approves the council’s recommendation to purchase an old school building in Edgard. Formerly Second Ward High School, the building has remained vacant for more than 12 years. Owned by the St. John School system, the property still has an operative gym and football and baseball fields. Originally suggested by Chairman Cleveland Farlough, the idea to put the property to use was approved by the council at a meeting March 13. Parish President Nickie Monica said that administration will form a committee to look into all options available to them. Aside from the high school, Monica said there are other possibilities that may prove to be less costly and take less time to prepare for the public. One option, according to Monica, is Second Ward Elementary School, which has recreational sports fields that are no longer in use. If renovations were made, it would be available to residents after school hours, since the school building is still being used by the elementary students. If the parish went that route, an inter-government agreement would have to be made between the school system and the parish for the parish to rent the property at $1 a year for 100 years. The same agreement may be a possibility for the high school location, since it is also owned by the school system. However, Monica said when property is leased, the parish is ineligible for federal grants. If the parish purchased that property, it would cost $72,000 and the building would have to be demolished. Another option would be to buy acreage and develop a site that would be owned by the parish. The money is available, since there is $500,000 total in the recreation fund. Monica said there needs to be a short-term plan and a long-term plan. He said that one option is using one of the two suggested schools until acreage could be purchased and a permanent site developed. The goal is to give west bank residents something similar to Regala Park on the east bank. “I really think there is a need to provide more recreation for people on the west bank. I really feel like we need to do that,” said Monica. “We have to get everyone together to discuss the needs and throw ideas around, look at all options and see what’s better,” he said.