Master Plans - Executive Summary
The Bayou Pigeon Heritage Association is an IRS 501c3 non-profit association and has received ownership of the structures that once belonged to the St Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
We will be doing more membership recruitment for 2020 in the coming weeks / months. In the fall , this year, we will have a major fund raiser and recruitment program for 2021.
Remember all dues / donations are tax deductible.
So potential members will have information on what their dues and donations will be used for. Listed below is executive summary on Function and Improvement projects for the facilities.
The mission of Bayou Pigeon Heritage Association ;
The Bayou Pigeon Heritage Association is organized as a 501 c (3) non-profit corporation for the purposes of saving the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church Complex from abandonment and demolition by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge and for preserving and using the said Complex for the preservation, promotion, perpetuation, education and enhancement of the past and present living histories, culture, heritage and folk life of the Swamp Cajuns of Bayou Pigeon, Iberville Parish, and Louisiana.
General Facility, Exterior:
Visible Signage: Large, easy to read BPHA sign. Remove all unnecessary St. Joan of Arc old signage
Clean it Up: Power wash , parking lot, sidewalk and and entrance ways.
Garbage bins supplied and maintained
Trim / remove unnecessary and maintain existing landscaping
Repair pot holes in parking lot.
Restore / Paint New Lines on the Parking Lot:
In General clean it up, curb appeal is important for public perception.
Heritage Hall Master Plan
Become a upscale event center for our community and surrounding area, for many types of functions.
1. Ensure the HVAC system is maintained and working properly.
2. The main hall will maintain the open concept floor plan
3. The Cry Room of the former church will be remodeled as a food serving area for caterers.
4. The existing Chapel room will be renovated / upgraded into a Christian prayer / meditation room in keeping with catholic special consideration of Mary the mother of Jesus
5. The interior restoration will include remodel of the vestibule area to new modern Men and Women Bathrooms with multiple and updated plumbing fixtures.
6. The confessional area will be remodeled into small kitchen.
7. The sanctuary / altar part of the former church to be maintained as is for foreseeable future.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel Room
Become a Catholic theme Meditation and Prayer room, with periodic services, like communion for sick, handicapped folks who cannot make the trip to a near by church.
The Chapel room will contain objects for meditation and prayer. A statue of representing Mary Queen of Peace from the original shrine, will be in place. A wall with pictures of Gods Plan for Man’s Salvation from the original shrine. Plans are for large mural of the original Chapel room and with pictures of the history of the church at Bayou Pigeon are planned.
We intend for it to a quiet place for people who are bereaved and / or want pray for special intentions. Entry and Hours of availability are yet to be determined.
Chair woman of the committee to develop Entry and Hours of availability is Ms. Cindy Vaughn. Comments and suggestions for use of the Chapel can be sent via the "contact us' feature of the BPHA Web Site.
Work with Pierre Part St. Joseph the Worker Parish pastor to reestablish some Catholic Services to the Chapel.
The BPHA Activity Center
Will be a recreational activity center for the kids of the community. A smaller venue for club's and other organization meetings.
First order of business will be repair roof leaks.
Damage done to electric wiring and water pipes by Vandals will be repaired. With power and water restored.
The three side room A/C units will be cleaned and charged to working condition. The interior ceilings of side rooms will have ceiling tile replaced and walls will be cleaned and painted as applicable / as required.
The kitchen area ceiling tile will be replaced and / or fixed. The kitchen area will use a 5's model / technique, ie., Sorting, Simplifying, Shining, Standardizing, Sustaining for reorganizing.
Interior walls and storage shelves repaired / repainted as necessary. A new stove and Micro wave ovens will be added. All cooking stuff will be evaluated and will be cleaned. Irreparable stuff not salvageable will be discarded.
The main interior walls of the Structure will be evaluated and cleaned and repainted as applicable.
The storage area above the side rooms and kitchen area will be cleaned and organized using a 5's model / technique, ie., Sorting, Simplifying, Shining, Standardizing, Sustaining for storage.
Install new gutters on roof.
The Outside Covered Pavilion
Outside Covered Pavilion;
Outdoor activity center for all types of community events, fund raisers.
Exterior work includes extensive power washing / clean up, repairs include roof sealing and some replacement,
Replacing existing post and rotted wood with #1 Grade Treated lumber.
Repairing / Painting and / or replacing eating tables, walkway handrails as applicable.
Landscape restoration.
Repairing / Painting and / or replacing , modernizing concessions and serving areas using 5's model / technique, ie., Sorting, Simplifying, Shining, Standardizing, Sustaining for storage.
Evaluating, Repairing / renovation of the drainage system and landscape restoration.
Ball Fields
Develop baseball / softball fields for all age groups. Tournaments and Travel ball,
First order of business will be keeping the grass cut on all the fields.
Evaluate, repair and ensure lights for the field are working properly.
Clean up dugouts and concession stands and remove all trash.
Repair and renovate main (front) field to a playing condition
Evaluate and restore Irrigation and drainage repairs completed
Repair and repaint backstop, renovate dugouts, batting cage and perimeter fencing.
Powerwash and Repair existing bleachers as appropriate.
Parish / Government Cooperation
Preliminary discussions on a Kids Playground and Walking Track. The Association is willing to look at this with parish officials.
Caretakers Residence Master Plan
The Heritage Association will seek / advertise for a caretaker for the property.
The priests house will be the residence of a caretaker of the property.
The House will be furnished and thoroughly cleaned and free of any mold. HVAC will be evaluated and certified as in proper working conditions. All appliances will be in proper working condition.
An inventory of furnishing's will be recorded.
A two for one is the desired outcome. A couple to live and manage the complex. Rent will be part of any compensation package.
Keeping watch on the property for the Association will be the primary responsibility, eg., the eyes and ears of the association to let them know when problems arise with the buildings or land, including roads, open spaces and landscaping. You’ll need to watch the comings and goings of people on the property too to make sure everything is safe and trespassers keep out.
Caretaker, duties will include to make rounds of the property on a regular basis, keep some kind of regular hours on the site as a mutually agreed upon with the BPHA and be on call for emergencies. Do routine cleanups, and other maintenance tasks, according to the proprietor's requests.
The managing couple will take care of tasks as requested by the BPHA as a team. Routine maintenance duties such as cutting grass and taking care of the landscaping and BPHA typically fall on the man and will be required. Minor / small fixer-upper skills such as carpentry, electrical and plumbing is a plus.
Keeping regular reports on your rounds of the property and the state of the buildings and grounds will also part of the job.
A legal lease / contract will prepared by our attorney with terms, conditions, timelines, do's & don't and specific clauses for termination.
