Reeling in repairs

By: ELIZABETH WEST
Managing Editor

Hidden in the piney woods of northern Evangeline Parish is a recreation area that Quint West described as “one of the true gems of our parish.”
Named for the shape of its reservoir, Crooked Creek offers camping, fishing, boating swimming, and skiing to the public.
However, after existing for more than 40 years, the parish’s gem today is in need of a little polishing.
Having to rely mostly on park fees to remain open though, has put a strain on being able to provide the perfect local getaway for parish residents and visitors until now.
After a period of brainstorming, Kim Ortego, who manages the park overseen by the Evangeline Parish Police Jury, has partnered with The Bait Stand in Pine Prairie to host a fishing tournament to raise the money that the park has had a hard time generating on its own.
Evangeline Parish Police Jury President Ryan Ardoin said, “Through the more recent years the park has struggled and now it is to the point where it needs updates and repairs. This fishing tournament is a perfect way for us to all help bring in the money needed for that.”
While repairs are the main cause for this fundraiser, the event is also being used as a way to promote the treasures of this parish.
Collin Courville, with The Bait Stand, said, “We decided to have this fishing tournament to raise money to re-build a lot of the aspects of the park. But, this is also a way for us to promote Crooked Creek and put it back on the map. We want people to once again see what this park offers from its beautiful landscape to fun activities such as fishing and camping.”
For people like West, who will be competing in the tournament with his brother-in-law Neal Guillory, the decision to partake in this fundraiser has everything to do with the lasting memories Crooked Creek has provided him with.
West, who is the mayor of Pine Prairie, said, “It was important to me to compete in this fundraiser because I want to see this place continue to allow people to make special memories with their loved ones just like it has allowed me to do.
“My family has spent so many summers at the park’s beach, and some of the most cherished memories I have of time spent with my dad are at Crooked Creek. That’s where he taught me how to duck hunt and how to set trout lines. When I got older and had my own family, we always found time between ball games and other things to bring our children out there for camping trips. It is the perfect place to enjoy time with your family, and that is exactly why we need to try our best to support our park.”
The adult fishing tournament will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Crooked Creek. The tournament will begin at 6:30 a.m. with the weigh-in set for 12:00 noon. Registration for will be held at Crooked Creek the day of the tournament.
This event isn’t just for the adults though.
There will also be a kids fishing contest that will cost $5 to enter. Every child who catches a fish will earn a prize.
At the event, children will also be able to enjoy fun jumps for free.
There will be a concession stand that will have nachos, hotdogs, chili pies, burgers and drinks for sale.
All proceeds from this event will go to renovating the park’s pavilions and bathroom, as well as building a new playground area.
Following this fundraiser, Ardoin said the public should expect to see more events like this take place at Crooked Creek in an effort to help continue promoting all that this 400 acre gem offers to the public.
Ardoin said, “We have been talking about maybe having cookoffs out there to help bring people into the park and promote what we have here. Crooked Creek is a part of Evangeline Parish, and a lot of people tell me that we need to do whatever we can to keep it open. So, that’s what we are going to do.”