Parish Proposes Using Grants For Land Purchases

 Parish Proposes Using Grants For Land Purchases

BOBBY ARDOIN

Editor/Consulting Writer

Parish government is interested in purchasing and converting property now owned by an Opelousas church group into a sports complex and a tract of land in Lawtell that parish president Jessie Bellard thinks could be potentially used for a community park.

Both projected acquisition plans were passed during a special Wednesday night meeting and are scheduled to be further discussed when the Council convenes a September monthly meeting.

Bellard told the Council that $1 million state grant funding, while another $500,000 that at this point will come from general fund revenues will help cover the asking price for over 100 acres once used by the Indian Hills Country Club.

On Thursday Bellard said the 10-acre Lawtell site is being advertised for $225,000. State grant money is also expected to be used for the purchase, said Bellard.

Indian Hills Property

According to a proposed purchase contract, the former Indian Hills Country Club property is now owned by Opelousas Life Church, which Bellard said purchased the tract for about $750,000 in 2021,

Bellard said any purchase of the property by the parish would first have to undergo a lengthy vetting process that includes appraisals.

Also residential owners who live adjacent to what was once Indian Hills Country Club, would have an opportunity to voice their concerns before the Council makes a final decision.

“The first thing we would have to do if we buy it, is clean up the property. Then there will have to be the development of a master plan that shows what kind of recreational facility we want to put there,” Bellard added.

A resolution approved by the Opelousas Life Church board of directors indicates that the Board has agreed to sell the entire tract of land and all the buildings on the property to the parish.

Several residents that live near the former country club questioned the impact a sports complex could have on their lives and property values.

However several of the adjoining property owners that spoke on the issue said they welcomed parish efforts to clean and maintain the former golf course area which is now overgrown.

Lawtell Property

Bellard said he envisions creating a youth park along La. 35 and perhaps a walking trail on the Lawtell property which was formerly owned by the St. Landry Parish School District.

If approved by the Council, the parish would buy the property from Opelousas businessman Ken FaKouri.

Before any agreement is signed to buy the property, Bellard said the parish would have to clean it and consider the opinion of appraisers.

The Lawtell school building burned down decades ago. Council member Nancy Carriere said if the building contains asbestos then she would not consider buying it.

Bellard said he doesn’t plan on including the former school building in the park master plan.

“What I would like is building a park, with maybe a walking trail, so the kids would have a place and things to do,” Bellard said on Thursday.