City OKs new event space, swimming club at former Elks Club site
Published 5:16 pm Tuesday, July 9, 2024
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Jimmy Allgood, his wife Carla and father, James Kent Allgood, have renovated the former Elks Club into an event space and swimming club called The Miss-Lou Venue. (Submitted)
One of the spaces at The Miss-Lou Venue recently hosted a baby shower. (Submitted)
The Miss-Lou Venue is located in the former Elks Club facility on Lower Woodville Road. (Submitted)
NATCHEZ — At the recommendation of the city’s planning commission, the Natchez Board of Aldermen approved the rezoning of 4.97 acres at 241 Lower Woodville Road from B1 Neighborhood Business to B2 General Business.
The property is the former Elks Club. Owner James “Jimmy” Allgood Jr. plans to operate the property as a reception event facility and swim club.
Allgood also founded and owns Redneck Adventures and Miss-Lou Broadcasting.
He said the swimming pool and building have been renovated inside and out and are ready for use. The new event space will be called The Miss-Lou Venue.
“Everything is functional and ready to use immediately,” he said. He said he and his partners — his wife, Carla, and his father, James Kent Allgood — have invested more than $500,000 in renovating the property.
Allgood said all events held at his facility would comply with all city ordinances.
“The whole process of what we are doing is providing a place for wedding receptions and other events that people may need a space to hold,” Allgood said. “We will follow all of the guidelines (outlined by city ordinances).”
Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Bridgewater-Irving asked Allgood to provide more information about the swim club.
“We will offer memberships to the swimming pool, where individual families who want a place to swim and other people who come to our town may want a place to swim,” he said.
Allgood said he would not seek a liquor license or serve alcohol on the premises. Still, some who rent the facility for events and want to serve alcohol will assume all responsibility via the contract they will sign.
He said his contract requires security, and if the pool is involved, the individual renting the facility must employ American Red Cross-certified lifeguards.
“It’s a location where many of us learned to swim in the swimming pool, and many of us went to our high school proms and homecomings at the Elks Club,” Allgood said. “Many events over the years, like fundraisers so many of our parents supported, were held there.”
Aldermen approved the rezoning motion unanimously.
Anyone interested in renting the space for an event or joining the swimming pool club should contact Carla Allgood at 601-597-6659.
