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March 17, 2016
A Leeville attraction that has revitalized the local economy by bringing tourism and recreation dollars back to the once-overlooked town is about to get an upgrade.
The Lafourche Parish Council is moving ahead with the construction of a fishing pier at the Leeville Boat Launch. The pier will be handicap accessible and also feature a pavilion.
The fishing pier will be a $667,000 addition to the already-$1.1 million boat launch. The state of Louisiana is ponying up $500,000 for the pier, with Lafourche covering the rest of the tab. The state sent a letter to then-Parish President Charlotte Randolph in August confirming the project received capital outlay founding.
Lafourche District 9 Councilman Daniel Lorraine, who represents Leeville, estimated the project’s construction would take “more than a few months,” and said it holds tons of promise for those casting reels.
“That’ll be the best fishing spot ever in Lafourche Parish for saltwater fish. If you’re fishing trout, you’ll catch all you want. You’ll have people in and out of there all the time,” Lorraine said.
Don Griffin, owner of Griffin’s Marina in Leeville, said the pier is a welcome addition to the boat launch that will provide an alternative to those groups currently fishing on the sides of La. Highway 1 in the area.
“The fishing pier will only enhance it, and there’s so many people fishing on the side of the road right now, that this would also allow it to be a bit safer,” Griffin said.
The pier and pavilion represent the second and final phase of the boat launch, which has proven to be a boon for Leeville’s economy since it opened in November 2014. Prior to the public launch, Leeville had a few launches owned by local hotels. But because of the limited space available, hotels would only let their guests use the launches, leaving recreational fishers from the area out to dry. According to Griffin, the launch has created room for more fishers, including locals with no plans to spend the night, to visit Leeville.
“Before they had a boat launch, actually, in the summertime it was always busy, but it got to the point where there was no more room for expansion,” Griffin said. “Leeville was filled up with people launching at the motel and the only other launch we had. Now, they’re all still full in the summertime, and it just allows us to have an extra 50 or so boats fishing in that area.”
The construction of the La. Highway 1 elevated highway also presented challenges for Leeville business. Drivers who once passed Leeville on the way to Port Fourchon can now zoom past the town without a glance at the town’s businesses. The launch has actually provided a cost-friendly alternative to fishers, as they can now access the waters without paying the toll for the elevated bridge. And more folks hitting the waters at Leeville is good news for Griffin and his fellow local businessmen.
“If me and you plan a fishing trip tomorrow morning, I guarantee you if we tally it up, by the we leave and figure out how much gas, ice, food and bait, we’ll spend $100 without even trying, and that’s just two people,” he said.
Russell Rader is one such fisher whose presence in Leeville can be credited to the boat launch. Rader, a Hahnville resident, said he comes down Bayou Lafourche once a month to fish. According to Rader, he would pass Leeville to hit Grand Isle before the boat launch opened up. Though he still switches his locations and usually hits the waters with his boat, he opted for a relaxing Sunday fishing from his truck’s tailgate at the Leeville launch. He said a fishing pier would be a fine addition to the launch.
“I really think it would be good for people who don’t have boats and want to fish off a pier. I was looking around here at the land; it would be a good spot for it,” Rader said.
According to Griffin, the town had not seen much drop off while the oil industry was still booming. However, as plummeting oil prices have slowed southern Louisiana’s economy, Lafourche must find other ways to make up the lost income. Griffin said the launch helps promote economic diversity.
“It’s something that helps us all be more diverse, that we’re not just depending on one industry,” he said. “When the oil industry slows down, the tourism and the seafood industry can hopefully pick it up and keep us afloat until the oilfield picks back up.” •
