Concern returns about financial burden of St. John Community Center

By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – After leasing the facility for nearly two years, the Louisiana Institute of Film Technology (LIFT) is no longer the primary tenant for the St. John Parish Community Center, and parish administration is working to fill the void left behind.

St. John Parish Chief Administrative Officer Natalie Robottom said LIFT and the parish had been in a month-to-month lease agreement since June, but that has ended as of August 31. The termination comes on the heels of an FBI investigation regarding LIFT’s possible misuse of film industry tax credits granted by the state.

&#8220There was a reluctance on LIFT’s part to enter into a long term lease when they were still involved in other issues,” said Robottom. &#8220We both felt it was best to eliminate the agreement.”

The departure of LIFT, which was paying about $15,000 in rent per month, leaves a hole in the budget of about $180,000. Robottom said that her office has been working to attract new productions to the area, and said there are events scheduled through February.

&#8220When LIFT was operating in the civic center, they worked for us,” said Robottom. &#8220They managed the movie companies that came through the facility. We feel that we can do some of the same things LIFT was doing, and have been successful thus far.”

Robottom did not mention specifics of productions scheduled to come through the civic center, but did say that rental rates would be established for each based on a similar agreement to one the center had with LIFT. She said the parish has the possibility of making more money on productions, because LIFT acted as a middleman.

Robottom said having her office manage potential film productions coming into the area has allowed for better coordination with the River Parishes Tourism Commission, which markets the civic center to smaller scale events like weddings, Mardi Gras balls, concerts, and other assorted sporting events.

Paul Aucoin, chairman of the Tourism Commission, said there has been moderate success locally, but plans are in the works for a more aggressive promotions campaign.

&#8220We are still putting together materials to take to conferences we plan to attend,” said Aucoin. &#8220We have not set up anything concrete because of the unknowns of the movie industry in regards to scheduling conflicts.”

The St. John Parish Council handed over control of the Community Center to the Tourism Commission in an effort to combat a lack of diversity in events at the $7 million facility. There was once discussion in the past of selling the facility to an outside company, but Robottom said any discussion of that kind has since been silenced.

&#8220It would require a vote of the people,” said Robottom. &#8220As long as the civic center is still making money, which it is, we will not be selling it.”

The Council has said in the past that cooperation with the tourism commission in regards to running the community center provides a financial incentive for both sides because the center and commission receive a percentage of revenue from hotel taxes.

&#8220Our ultimate goal is to attract events that will put people in our hotels, and invite them to utilize what this parish has to offer,” said Aucoin. &#8220I think we are getting a lot of bang for our buck.”

There has also been a considerable amount of grumbling among council members concerning regular citizens getting &#8220priced out” of the facility.

&#8220Show me how we’re going to use the civic center to take care of Jon Doe Citizen,” said Councilman Dale Wolfe. &#8220The average person cannot afford to use the civic center and as a council we are obligated to take care of everyone in St. John Parish.”

Robottom said the administration has been very cautious about setting fees that are suitable for a building of the civic center’s stature, and cost of renting the facility covers cost of operating it.

&#8220It’s a $7 million facility,” said Robottom. &#8220Utilities are costly, we have to pay for upkeep, and paid personnel must be on hand to handle issues. It’s not like renting a VFW hall.”

Robottom said the Tourism Commission has been able to schedule enough smaller events to keep the facility viable.