State backs off major project due to money; parish still offering 75 acres here

By KERI CHAMPION

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE- The proposed 4-H Recreation Center in St. John the Baptist Parish has been put on hold indefinitely,” said Terri Bell, spokesperson for the LSU Agricultural Center. The LSU Ag Center, which was sponsoring the project, had been looking around for up to 100 acres of land to build the center.

If built, the state-of-the art center, with outdoor facilities, would be the only center of its kind in the region. St. John Parish has offered up to 75 acres for the complex to be built.

However, St. John was not the only site being considered. St. Helena

Parish has also been considered as a possible site and they offered 100 acres for the facility. St. John’s proximity to both the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas would be an ideal location for the center.

&#8220Due to budget cuts over the last two years, the project is on hold at this time and there is no word as to when the project might be picked up again,” said Bell.

&#8220The offer for the land grant still stands,” said Natalie Robottom, chief administrative officer for St. John Parish Government. &#8220The ordinance for the land grant was passed October 12, 2004 and is in effect for three years. The ordinance states that they must begin building within three years of the date the ordinance is passed or the property reverts back to the parish.”

The deadline to begin construction would be October 12, 2007.