If the weekend arrival of tropical storm Barry doesn’t delay the remaining tasks needed to finish the new city hall, the August meeting of the Village Council might be held in the new building.
Mayor Kevin Kately led several people on an impromptu tour of the building after the July 9 meeting, and residents will probably be pleased with the new facility. Kately believes the new center of village government will make a more favorable impression on residents and businesses looking for potential locations.
The structure was designed by Breaux Bridge architect Glenn Angelle and is being built by JC Construction LLC of Broussard. The $950,000 bond-financed structure replaces old town hall that has served for 34 years, but is not particularly well suited for the growing village and is in an increasingly deteriorated condition.
The new building, located adjacent to the Cecile Poché Park, features a much larger council meeting room, better and more efficient work spaces for water system employees, and meeting rooms that, Kately said, will be made available for certain public uses. The building, he added, will provide more privacy and security for governmental functions.
Basketball Upgrades
Kately said that new basketball goals are on order and a contractor has been chosen to resurface the court. The delivery dates and time frame for the resurfacing are not yet certain.
In other business, St. Martin Hospital board chairman Burton Dupuis and CEO Karen Wyble appeared to describe hospital enlargement and improvements to be made after a $25 million bond issue was approved by voters in 2018.
And Chez Hope Family Violence Crisis Center Public Advocacy manager Kelli Cantu spoke about the organization’s Friday, July 26 fund raising event, the Holiday Spectacular Trivia Night at the Cade Community Center.
The event, which will begin at 6 p.m., will help provide funding for an emergency shelter in the St. Martinville area. Currently, the nearest emergency residential location is in the organization’s home base of Franklin. Cantu said a high volume of domestic
abuse cases in St. Martin Parish underscores the need for a local facility.
People interested in reserving a table for a trivia team, sponsors who want to aid in a worthy cause, and those who would like to donate goods for the silent auction can call Cantu at 242-9595. Dinner is included and drinks will be available at a cash bar.
