Nov. 19 Opening Planned For WL Ice Rink
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WINONA LAKE — People should be able to skate at Winona Lake’s new ice rink next month.
Saturday, Nov. 19, is the planned opening date for the season for the Miller Sunset Pavilion’s rink along Park Avenue, mentioned Town Manager Craig Allebach at the Winona Lake Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
That’s the same day the tree lighting ceremony will be held in The Village at Winona, with that set for 3:30-6:30 p.m. The K21 Health Foundation, which helped kick-start the pavilion with a $1.5 million grant, will have a ribbon-cutting for the pavilion at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.
“We signed the closing this last week on the pavilion,” said Town Council President Rick Swaim.
Wulliman Tribute
At the beginning of the meeting, the council recognized late Winona Lake Fire Chief Robert L. “Bob” Wulliman.
He passed away at age 86 on Friday, Oct. 14. Allebach read information on Wulliman that is found in his obituary.
Wulliman was a volunteer fireman for more than 60 years and fire chief from 1976-81 as well as an U.S. Army veteran.
“I’ve known him my whole life,” noted current Winona Lake Fire Chief Kevin Gelbaugh.
2023 Budget
The council also approved the 2023 budget of $5,921,532.
That breaks down to: $65,000 in casino/riverboat; $40,000 in rainy day; $1,595,816 in general; $89,500 in local road and street; $814,150 in motor vehicle highway; $5,000 in continuing education; $234,830 in park and recreation; $50,000 in cumulative capital improvement cigarette tax; $191,000 in cumulative capital development; $800,000 in economic development income tax; $0 in general redevelopment; $300,000 in TIF; $1,436,236 in wastewater; and $300,000 in stormwater.
Town Activities
The council also heard about upcoming activities in town from Allebach.
The Fall Choral Festival will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Winona Lake Community Church, 902 College Ave. Grace College will have its FunFest from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Gordon Health and Wellness Center, 100 Publishers Drive.
The Winona Lake Parks Department’s Trick-or-Treat on the Trails will be 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, starting at Winona Lake Limitless Park and then heading on the town’s greenways. Winona Lake Parks Director Holly Hummitch later said that groups may still partner with the parks department for the event to hand out candy. To learn more about how to participate, people may email [email protected].
Following the trick-or-treating on Oct. 29, from 5-7 p.m. at WLLP, there will be s’mores, a bonfire, storytelling and a showing of the TV special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Hummitch said the YMCA is helping with games, including “sensory-friendly” ones, and the fire department is assisting with the bonfire.
The town’s regular trick-or-treat hours are 5:30-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. The inauguration of Grace College President Dr. Drew Flamm is set for 10:30 a..m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center at Grace, 610 Wooster Road.
Other Business
The council also:
- Approved vacating an alley at the request of resident J.T. Jacobson. It’s located near his home in the area of Sunday Lane and 13th Street.
- Heard that leaf pickup should have started on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from Tim Goshert, who runs the town’s street department services. Brush will still be picked up on Mondays and Tuesdays, he said, adding that leaves should be kept behind the curb and piles of brush and leaves should be separated. He didn’t have an end date in mind for leaf pickup yet.
The council’s next meeting is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Winona Lake Town Hall.