Ribbon-Cutting Celebrates Grant Challenge Success For Miller Sunset Pavilion Fireplace
August 16, 2022 at 1:47 a.m.
Ribbon-Cutting Celebrates Grant Challenge Success For Miller Sunset Pavilion Fireplace
By David [email protected]
On Monday, a ribbon-cutting was held at the Miller Sunset Pavilion fireplace to celebrate the donors who helped match the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority through the CreatINg Places grant program. The Patronicity program offered $50,000 in matching funds, but only if a total of $50,000 was raised in community support, according to a news release from the Pavilion Committee.
Community members stepped forward, contributing over $62,000 toward the project, resulting in over $112,000 for the project, the release states.
The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce coordinated the Patronicity campaign locally.
After the ribbon-cutting, Chamber President and CEO Rob Parker said, “For everybody who donated through this project, it gave us this beautiful, outdoor space where we can gather, and we can hang out and really create community. That’s what we’re celebrating today.”
Monday’s ribbon-cutting is one of the first celebrations as the Miller Sunset Pavilion progresses toward completion. It will provide recreation and exercise opportunities throughout the winter months with an ice-skating rink.
“In the summer, the sky’s the limit, from concerts to pickleball and reunions to bazaars," said Craig Allebach, Winona Lake town manager, in the release.
Parker is quoted in the release as saying, “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.”
The Miller Sunset Pavilion fireplace creates “an inviting gathering space with a large fireplace, a state-of-the-art gas log and safety features designed into the space. The outdoor seating area makes this a perfect gathering area to warm up after skating or to relax with friends,” the release states.
The Miller Sunset Pavilion project was made possible by the donation of land and financial support by the Dr. Dane A. and Mary Louise Miller Foundation. The K21 Health Foundation continued the momentum with a grant of $1.5 million designated for the ice-skating rink. An additional $1.7 million has been raised through private donations, which leaves $3 million to be raised between public and private funding sources, the release states.
“Additional donor support is needed as we near completion of the year-round venue,” said Suzie Light, Pavilion Committee member.
One person who has donated is Pamela Hester, who attended Monday’s ribbon-cutting.
“I donated because we have lived in Winona Lake for almost 50 years. My husband was very active at one point, was the president of the park board. We were just very active in the town. And he has passed, and I wanted to donate a brick in his honor,” she said.
Hester said she’s very excited about the ice-skating rink.
“Actually, my daughter, before she moved to Fort Wayne 25 years ago, was very active in trying to get an ice skating rink built and it just never happened. So, we’re glad to see it happen now,” she said.
Allebach said, “It’s a huge, huge asset to Winona Lake, and, obviously, Kosciusko County and surrounding areas because there’s really nothing like this in surrounding areas. A lot of people, that now have to go to Fort Wayne or other places to ice skate, can do it right here. So I think it’s going to be a huge amenity, and 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 and even for economic development. It’s just been a really neat project to go through in this last year or so. It’s going to be a big one.”
To learn more about the Pavilion and making a donation, visit https://millersunsetpavilion.com.
Questions regarding the Miller Sunset Pavilion may be directed to Allebach at 574-269-5112 or email [email protected].
On Monday, a ribbon-cutting was held at the Miller Sunset Pavilion fireplace to celebrate the donors who helped match the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority through the CreatINg Places grant program. The Patronicity program offered $50,000 in matching funds, but only if a total of $50,000 was raised in community support, according to a news release from the Pavilion Committee.
Community members stepped forward, contributing over $62,000 toward the project, resulting in over $112,000 for the project, the release states.
The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce coordinated the Patronicity campaign locally.
After the ribbon-cutting, Chamber President and CEO Rob Parker said, “For everybody who donated through this project, it gave us this beautiful, outdoor space where we can gather, and we can hang out and really create community. That’s what we’re celebrating today.”
Monday’s ribbon-cutting is one of the first celebrations as the Miller Sunset Pavilion progresses toward completion. It will provide recreation and exercise opportunities throughout the winter months with an ice-skating rink.
“In the summer, the sky’s the limit, from concerts to pickleball and reunions to bazaars," said Craig Allebach, Winona Lake town manager, in the release.
Parker is quoted in the release as saying, “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.”
The Miller Sunset Pavilion fireplace creates “an inviting gathering space with a large fireplace, a state-of-the-art gas log and safety features designed into the space. The outdoor seating area makes this a perfect gathering area to warm up after skating or to relax with friends,” the release states.
The Miller Sunset Pavilion project was made possible by the donation of land and financial support by the Dr. Dane A. and Mary Louise Miller Foundation. The K21 Health Foundation continued the momentum with a grant of $1.5 million designated for the ice-skating rink. An additional $1.7 million has been raised through private donations, which leaves $3 million to be raised between public and private funding sources, the release states.
“Additional donor support is needed as we near completion of the year-round venue,” said Suzie Light, Pavilion Committee member.
One person who has donated is Pamela Hester, who attended Monday’s ribbon-cutting.
“I donated because we have lived in Winona Lake for almost 50 years. My husband was very active at one point, was the president of the park board. We were just very active in the town. And he has passed, and I wanted to donate a brick in his honor,” she said.
Hester said she’s very excited about the ice-skating rink.
“Actually, my daughter, before she moved to Fort Wayne 25 years ago, was very active in trying to get an ice skating rink built and it just never happened. So, we’re glad to see it happen now,” she said.
Allebach said, “It’s a huge, huge asset to Winona Lake, and, obviously, Kosciusko County and surrounding areas because there’s really nothing like this in surrounding areas. A lot of people, that now have to go to Fort Wayne or other places to ice skate, can do it right here. So I think it’s going to be a huge amenity, and 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 and even for economic development. It’s just been a really neat project to go through in this last year or so. It’s going to be a big one.”
To learn more about the Pavilion and making a donation, visit https://millersunsetpavilion.com.
Questions regarding the Miller Sunset Pavilion may be directed to Allebach at 574-269-5112 or email [email protected].
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092