WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake town officials want to make sure its residents and visitors have the tools to be more informed about the town.
That is why the town invested in the help of Winona Lake resident Andy Kerr to assist the town with redesigning its Web site.
Kerr is a Webmaster and graphic designer for Eisenbrauns, Warsaw.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach and councilwoman Joy Lohse worked with Kerr for the past year to research and develop the new Web site.
The last time the town's Web site was updated was in 2002, according to Allebach.
The town approached Kerr last fall with their interest in requesting him to update the site.
Lohse and Allebach researched top tourism Web sites to get an idea of information they wanted to include on Winona Lake's Web site.
"We wanted to update the site because it has been awhile since it had been updated, and we wanted the site to reflect the town and get involved with graphics and pictures," Allebach said.
Lohse said the goal of updating the Web site was to make it more usable, and highlight the town's business community.
"There are so many attractions in Winona Lake besides our general commerce that we wanted to have a culmination and well-presented Web site for our local community and to welcome people from outside our community," Lohse said.
Kerr has been working on redesigning the new Web site that launched Dec. 23.
The Web site has a new navigation system, and now features a business directory and restaurant listing for the town.
The site also has a link for job opportunities in the town, and scrolling photos that will be updated for each season.
The goal is to eventually have a complete business listing that highlights all of the town's businesses.
Another goal is to have a page dedicated to the town's Greenway with photos and information on art installation pieces that are located along the trail.
The town's goals also are to dedicate a page that would feature updates on the town's projects such as CR 250E and other street projects. The town plans to soon be on Facebook and Twitter.The Web site still offers the previous site's features such as town council minutes, agendas, and employee and town council contacts.
To visit the town's Web site, visit www.winonalake.net
