City approves new venue and swim club at former Elks Club site – Mississippi’s best local newspaper

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Jimmy Allgood, his wife Carla and his father James Kent Allgood have converted the former Elks Club into an event venue and swim club called The Miss-Lou Venue. (Submitted)

A baby shower was recently held in one of the rooms at the Miss-Lou Venue. (Submitted)

The Miss Lou venue is located in the former Elks Club facility on Lower Woodville Road. (Submitted)

NATCHEZ – Following a recommendation from the City Planning Commission, the Natchez City Council 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 venue and swim club.

Allgood is also the founder and owner of Redneck Adventures and Miss-Lou Broadcasting.

He said the pool and building have been renovated inside and out and are ready for use. The new venue will be called “The Miss-Lou Venue.”

“Everything is functional and ready to go,” 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 will comply with all city ordinances.

“Our whole process is to provide a venue for wedding receptions and other events that people may need space for,” Allgood said. “We will follow all the guidelines (set out in city ordinances).”

Fourth District Councilwoman Felicia Bridgewater-Irving asked Allgood to provide more information about the swim club.

“We will be offering pool memberships for individual families looking for a place to swim and other people coming to our town who may be looking for a place to swim,” he said.

Allgood said he will not apply for a liquor license or serve alcohol on the premises. Still, some who want to rent the facility for events and serve alcohol assume full responsibility through the contract they sign.

He said his contract requires security guards, and when it comes to the swimming pool, the tenant of the facility must employ lifeguards certified by the American Red Cross.

“Many of us learned to swim here in the pool, and many of us went to our high school proms and homecomings at the Elks Club,” Allgood said. “Many events have been held there over the years, including fundraisers that so many of our parents supported.”

The city councilors unanimously approved the request for rezoning.

Anyone interested in renting the space for an event or joining the pool club should contact Carla Allgood at 601-597-6659.