Pictured, from left are Winona Lake Town Council members Rick Swaim, Ashley McGinnis and Barry Andrew. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union.

By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake Town Council approved not hiring a director for the Miller Sunset Pavilion at this time Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Councilwoman Ashley McGinnis, who is also on the Miller Sunset Pavilion Committee, said the committee received about 30 applications for the director-level position at the pavilion and the committee interviewed seven applicants.

Based on the interviews, although not unanimously, the committee recommended not hiring a director at this time and put in more thought into what the position would entail. The committee was also given financial information and it was recommended a director not be hired at this time, she said.

McGinnis said since the council approved not hiring a director, she said she believes there is a compliance issue with the ordinance creating the pavilion committee. She said the ordinance creating the committee says there will be two council members on the committee and there are currently three.

McGinnis and Councilman Austin Reynolds are on the committee representing the council, and Council President Jim Lancaster volunteered to represent the director position until a director was found.

McGinnis said she was willing to resign from the committee if it was necessary.

Town Manager Craig Allebach said Lancaster was on the committee until a director is hired and once a director is hired, he doesn’t think it will be an issue at that point.

Town attorney Adam Turner said he would look into the matter and report back to the council.

Also, the council approved allowing advertising on the ice rink dasher boards. There will be two sizes for advertisements. The first size is 24 inches by 90, which will be $1,500 with a two-year contract. The second size is 24 inches by 59 inches at a cost of $1,200 with a two-year agreement, McGinnis said.
The third thing associated with the pavilion the council approved Tuesday were hours of operations and fees for the ice rink.

McGinnis said the hours of operations this year are about the same as last year, with some extended hours. Hours of operations are weather-permitting. There will be 705 hours of operation for the season.

Regular hours for the ice rink for November through February is 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday with Monday being closed.

There will be extended hours. For Thanksgiving week, the ice rink will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 26, 1 to 8 p.m. Nov. 28, 1 to 8 p.m. Nov. 29, noon to 9p.m. Nov. 30 and 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 1. The rink will be closed Nov. 25 and 28.

For Christmas break, the rink will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. Dec. 23, 26, 27; from noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 28; 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 29; 1 to 8 p.m. Dec. 30; 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 30 and Jan. 1; 1 to 8 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3; noon to 9 p.m. Jan. 4 and 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 5.

There will be a soft opening Nov. 7 and opening day is Nov. 9.

Skate admissions are free for those 2 and under, $5 for ages 3 to 13 and $7 for those 14 and older. A group rate is $10 per person.

Skate rentals are $5 and skate aids are $7. Skate sharpening for figure skates are $17 and $20 for hockey skates.

The council approved eliminating the $5 spectator fee. Allebach said the spectator fee has been a source of contention since the pavilion opened.

In other business, the council:

• Learned the public hearing for the town’s 2025 budget is at 5 p.m. Oct. 8.

• Heard Trail Fest at the Hauth Trailhead is Sept. 27-29.

• Approved an agreement with HR Consulting Services to update the town handbook. The annual cost is $150 per year with a $5,000 one-time fee. Clerk-Treasurer Heather James said the service is needed as the handbooks are out of date.

• Approved establishing a school resource officer fund. James said the town has an agreement with Lakeland Christian Academy for an SRO and the fund is to separate any money used for the SRO from other money.

• Approved establishing two funds for the tax increment finance districts in town.