By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish officials will break ground Monday on an improvement project to revamp the Reserve Boat Launch, Parish President Natalie Robottom said.

The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the Reserve Launch, located just off Airline Highway just west of East 22nd Street.

Former Parish President Bill Hubbard proposed the boat launch improvements in March 2009 as a way to revitalize the frequently used recreational spot. The plan includes a repaved parking lot, improved lighting, picnic tables and landscaping.

The Parish Council in May approved a $540,000 contract to L&L General Contractors for the construction work.

Parish officials said funding for the project will come from a pool of money left over from a 2002 bond issue, as well as a $185,000 grant from Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. The parish also plans to use funds from public works to cover any remaining costs.

Major construction on the launch would not begin until sometime after the summer when traffic on the launch has died down so that any disruption of usage will be minimized. The project could take anywhere from six months to a year to complete.