VIDALIA — The grand opening of the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center has been postponed for the time being.

Plans were for the recently completed second phase of the center to be officially opened Saturday, but in the wake of Hurricane Gustav officials decided that it was not the best time.

“We are still trying to recover from the damage in Vidalia,” Mayor Hyram Copeland said. “We’re still trying to get everybody back on with electricity.”

Likewise, the invited dignitaries from across the state— including the governor and Sen. Mary Landrieu — are likely to be detained by hurricane recovery, Copeland said.

During the storm, the center was used as a temporary shelter for 41 evacuees from southern Louisiana.

The shelter had a few leaks following the storm, but Copeland said at this point the city was unclear whether they were caused by the inclement weather or if they were caused by contractor’s issues.

Some things will likely be repaired, but it does not look like anything will have to be replaced, Copeland said.

The first phase of the convention center opened in August 2007.