University students have been given the opportunity to work on a project that will affect a Louisiana community’s future.
Steve Jones, of the St. Francisville Developing Center, is in charge of building the senior olympic facility and residential community in St. Francisville. This facility will be used by senior olympians from around the nation who would like to train for their various sports. Also, there will be residential homes for families of all sizes and incomes.
“This training center would be the only one west of Colorado Springs and south of New York,” said Jones.
Jones said that he already has been contacted by high school trainers who are interested in bringing their athletes to the training center.
Sadik Artunc, a University landscape architecture professor, said he began meeting with the St. Francisville committee last spring.
Working on a project that involves the community is just a taste of what these students’ career might be like in the future.
“By participating in this project, both students and the community can win,” Artunc said.
Through this project, the community is presented with creative and innovative ideas, and the community saves some money.
“By involving the students, St. Francisville saves about $250,000,” Artunc said.
Through this experience, the students interact with everyday people and “connect with the real world,” Artunc said.
Artunc’s students, who are fourth-year architecture students, began work by researching and doing extensive site analysis. Throughout the past two months, six groups have gathered ideas.
Although a few basic concepts had to be included, the students were able to be creative and express their personal interests.
Friday night, the students presented their ideas in St. Francisville, where members of the community could ask the students questions.
Peter Nelson represented the first group, who wanted to have areas of nature so that children could play and enjoy the trees and land around them.
“We wanted to keep the turn-of-the-century look so that it would be a part of St. Francisville from day one,” Nelson said.
Deborah Owen presented her group’s idea of creating a close community.
“We want it to be a community where you know who is around you, who lives next door and be able to talk to them,” Owen said.
Since the magnolia tree is common in the area, this group decided the layout of the houses should be in the form of a magnolia flower.
Sebastian Alvarez presented the idea that the rich French background should be preserved by incorporating French-style architecture.
Matt Shearer’s group focused on the facilities being used by a variety of people, so that residents of St. Francisville and olympians from around the nation can use the facilities.
“Live where you work, and work where you play,” Katie Michelle said.
Jamie Gele, who represented the final group, spoke about “recreation with entertainment at night.”
When asked what his favorite aspect of the program was, Pat Butler, a resident of St. Francisville, said “the cute girls.”
“I liked the innovative approach and all the work they put into the projects,” Butler said.
Butch Jones, a native of St. Francisville, said his only concern was where the money to fund the project would come from.
John Rogers, a 40-year resident of St. Francisville, thought having students work on the project was a terrific idea.
“The younger minds propel the future and can add to the rich heritage that we already have,” Rogers said.
Steve Jones and the other board members in charge of the project will review the different concepts and decide what they will use from the students’ projects in the near future.