vidalia — Vidalia City Attorney Jack McLemore said two leases approved by the board of alderman will help to pave the way for a new recreational center in Concordia.

At their meeting on Tuesday, alderman voted to approve leases on two parcels of riverfront property.

One lease being renewed is currently occupied by an RV park and owned by Vidalia Landing.

The lease was extended from 49 to 99 years.

The company will pay $873,000 rent up front to the city.

A second lease will facilitate the construction of a new Holiday Inn.

Dr. Shailesh Vora will be building the $9 million hotel.

Vora also owns 15 other hotels including some in the Miss-Lou area.

Vora also leased his land for 99 years and fronted $129,000 rent on the project.

Mayor Hyram Copeland said Vora’s riverfront hotel will be a welcomed asset to the community.

“We’re glad to have him coming to the area,” he said.

McLemore said money from the leases will be used to purchase a 50-acre parcel of land to develop a new recreational facility.

McLemore said that while land purchase has not yet to be made definite, having the funding to back the project is a major step in the right direction.

Copeland said the city’s recreational board will begin to move forward on the project.

Alderman Troy McCoy said the development of a recreational facility in Concordia Parish would be an enormous boost to the area.

McCoy said as of now, local sports teams normally travel to other communities with newer facilities for sporting events.

“Hopefully this can eliminate that problem,” he said.