PORT NECHES — A former skating rink may soon become a church in Port Neches.

The Rev. Cazzy Francis, head pastor at Pathway Church Mid-County, is working to transform the former Champion’s Skating Rink, 2326 Nederland Ave., to a church for the community. But first he needs a conditional use permit from the city of Port Neches.

Port Neches City Council will hold a public hearing on the request during the 4 p.m. meeting Thursday at city hall, 1005 Merriman St., Port Neches.

Currently, Pathway Church meets at Athletes Sports Training facility, 2350 Nall, Francis said.

“Our plans are to have a church for the community, a church for families and children and youth,” Francis said. The church will have a wing setup for children and for youth and adults and a coffee bar as well.

“We actually have a home right now. We meet at Athletes on Nall,” he said. “We’re really excited about this. It’s a 14 month project for us.”

Francis said the family church is “the best hour of your week.”

Construction will begin after council gives the green light and all permits are approved.

Port Neches City Manager Andre Wimer said the area where the proposed church sits is zoned business medium.

The city’s zoning requires that a conditional use permit needs to be approved for a church/place of worship to exist in a business-medium zone.

The church will also need to be replatted into one lot and rezoned.

Council will also discuss a replat request for 1511 Bowlin Ave. for the purpose of building four single-family homes.

Johnsye and Rhonda McDonald submitted the request for the creation of McDonald Estates, according to information from the city of Port Neches.

Other agenda items include:

• Administer oath of office to Councilmember Place 1 and Councilmember Place 2 and elect the mayor pro tem.
• Discuss and take action regarding he approval of an ordinance prescribing the number of authorized positions within the fire department.
• Discuss and take action regarding the approval of placement of the fire engineer position within the wage and salary plan.
• Discuss and take action regarding the approval of payment of consolidated water quality fees to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.