Merrillville’s drive-thru light display to return
An entrepreneur plans to bring a drive-through holiday light display back to Merrillville, years after Ross Township discontinued the same type of event at Hidden Lake Park.
Kris Simonovski received approval Tuesday from the Merrillville Town Council to operate a Winter Wonderland on a 15-acre site in the 7600 block of U.S. 30, next to the former Ringo’s Golf.
The display will be open to the public from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 26 to Jan. 2.
Simonovski said visitors would remain in their cars and listen to holiday music through their radio as they drive through a trail. He said there would be several different themes, all holiday related.
He said he hasn’t determined the cost to enter as yet.
“I saw one last year and knew this was something the town needed,” Simonovski said.
He said he plans to keep everything on the trail this year, but wants to expand in the future.
Councilman Shawn Pettit, D-6th, said he’s in favor of the proposal.
“It’s a family attraction. I’m glad to see it here,” Pettit said.
He said Simonovski has already met with neighbors to discuss any worries they might have.
Visitors would enter off U.S. 30 and exit through the adjacent church parking lot onto 83rd Avenue.
In other matters, assistant parks director Tarrance Price reported that the Dean & Barbara White
Community Center has taken in $185,000 in revenues and paid out $533,000 in expenses so far this year.
But Pettit pointed out that the center actually has taken in $685,000 in revenues, with the $500,000 donation from the White Family Foundation for operating costs.
“There’s a perception that we’re losing money, but we’re not,” Pettit said.
Resident Eric January told the
council he strongly believes residents should need to pay at least a nominal fee to use the center. The council had voted to give residents free membership.
“I moved here for low taxes and I want taxes to stay low,” January said.
January also spoke against giving large businesses tax abatements.
“I have an issue with giving big businesses a break that small businesses don’t have. It gives large businesses a competitive edge over small businesses,” said January, a certified public accountant.
The council agreed to allow Patriot Investors to have outdoor storage only at their 73rd Avenue property for a maximum of four years, at which time they must follow the original approved plan for both indoor and outdoor storage.
The owners said they can’t get the materials to build the facilities at this time.
Advancing Christ’s Kingdom Global Ministries received approval to hold its church services and ministries, as well as operate a banquet facility, at the site of the former Fiesta Palace banquets, 6220 Broadway location.