A ribbon-cutting was held on Monday, Aug. 15, to celebrate the Miller Sunset Pavilion at Winona Lake’s new fireplace. Donors, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce representatives, government officials and others involved with the project attended. From left: Front — Dawn Jaggers, Kyrie´ Maierle and Suzie Light; back — Jon Vida, Shawn Brown, Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Manager Scott Wiley, Matt Teevan, Dr. John Teevan, Mike Cusick, State Rep. Craig Snow, Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach, Kristine Tezekjian, Angela Lundy, Alex Hall, Pamela Hester, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker and Adam Turner. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — A step toward finishing Winona Lake’s new public ice rink was celebrated on Monday, Aug. 15 when a ribbon-cutting was held to celebrate the new fireplace at Miller Sunset Pavilion.

Construction of the pavilion is nearing completion. It’s located on Park Avenue and at the former site of the Billy Sunday Tabernacle.

The pavilion will have ice skating in the winter and other activities like concerts during the rest of the year.

A ribbon-cutting celebrating the entire pavilion will be held later.

The outdoor fireplace is in the back of the pavilion and surrounded by a few benches and will serve as a spot for skaters to warm up.

Officials also celebrated $50,000 being given for the pavilion project via the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places grant program. The project was eligible for a grant from that program if up to $50,000 was raised via a crowdfunding campaign through Patronicity, with the total amount of donations being more than $62,000.

The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce helped organize the Patronicity campaign.

“For everybody who donated through this project, it gave us this beautiful outdoor space that we can gather and we can hang out and really create community,” said Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker.

The opening this year will mark the end of a decades-long effort in the community to have a community rink.

“We are thrilled to assist with the project that will be transformative when complete. This will drive year-round activity and provide important winter recreation for residents and visitors alike,” Parker said in a press release that was provided to media at the event Monday.

“It’s a huge, huge asset to Winona Lake and obviously Kosciusko County and the surrounding areas,” said Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach. “Because there’s really nothing like this in surrounding areas, so a lot of people that now have to go to Fort Wayne or other places to ice skate can do it right here. I just think it’s going to be a huge amenity … I don’t think people realize until they actually see it just how awesome it is and the benefits it’s going to provide for Winona Lake even for economic development, so it’s just been a really neat project to go through.”

Fundraising is continuing, and $3 million is still needed. To learn how to donate, people can go to www.millersunsetpavilion.com.

Those interested can also have their name or the name of their business placed on a brick in the walkway leading to the pavilion if they give $250 or more.

Pamela Hester of Winona Lake attended the ribbon-cutting and explained to reporters why she chose to donate.

She’s lived in town for nearly 50 years, and her late husband had been Winona Lake Park Board president. The couple had been “very active in the town,” she said.

“I wanted to donate a brick in his honor,” she said.

She said her daughter had advocated awhile back for putting an ice rink in the area.

“I’m just glad to see it and it’s beautiful,” she said.

A look at the fireplace while it’s lit.