A look at the Miller Sunset Pavilion located along Park Avenue in Winona Lake, which is to contain an ice rink and offer space for concerts and other community events to occur. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — The Winona Lake Town Council has approved a number of documents related to the Miller Sunset Pavilion.

At its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Winona Lake Town Hall, the council approved two ordinances related to using bonds to pay for the remaining balance of the pavilion. Council first looked at those ordinances at an August meeting.

Located along Park Avenue at the site of the former Billy Sunday Tabernacle, the pavilion will contain an ice rink and offer space for concerts and other community events.

To construct the pavilion, the town has used a process called BOT. BOT stands for build, operate and transfer and means a developer can essentially complete a project and later shift ownership to a government entity.

WL Ice LLC is the entity that currently owns the pavilion, with ownership to be shifted to the town soon.

As listed in the ordinances approved Tuesday, the town is seeking a bond amount not to exceed $4,680,000. The higher amount than what is needed is due to the town possibly seeking to use the bonds to pay for other purchases, such as a new fire engine.

Other funds paying for the pavilion project have included a $1.5 million grant from the K21 Health Foundation and various donations from the public.

Related to the project, the council approved having K and J Operations operate Miller Sunset Pavilion at an annual rate of $152,000. As Town Council Member Jim Lancaster is linked to its operations, the council approved a conflict of interest statement for him.

Town Manager Craig Allebach also provided some tentative upcoming dates regarding the pavilion.

He said there should be a “community open house” for the pavilion coming up in October, with the official opening of the ice rink planned for Saturday, Nov. 19, with possible free skating offered to the public on that date.

Winona Lake Activities

The council also heard about a variety of activities set to occur in town soon.

Those include the Nocturnal Community Bike Ride set to start at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, from the Gordon Health and Wellness Center, 100 Publishers Drive. More information can be found on that by visiting eventbrite.com/e/nocturnal-community-bike-ride-tickets-412330510657.

A special concert in honor of late Grace College faculty member and trumpet player Jerry Franks is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Christ’s Covenant Church, 2090 E. Pierceton Road. The Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes performs at 8 p.m. on Oct. 1 at the Winona Lake Heritage Room, 901 Park Ave.

The Winona Lake Parks Department is putting on the new event Trick-or-Treat on the Trails on Saturday, Oct. 29. From 3-5 p.m., kids can pick up goodies starting at Winona Lake Limitless Park and then throughout the town’s greenway system.

Following that from 5-7 p.m. at WLLP, there will be s’mores, a bonfire, storytelling and the playing of the TV special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

The council’s next meeting is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Winona Lake Town Hall.