Summer may be on the horizon, but the city of Crown Point is already gearing up for winter fun. On May 2, preparations for Bulldog Park, an all-seasons event center, were officially announced. Mayor David Uran led the groundbreaking ceremony, inviting residents and local businesses to share in the exciting news.
Bulldog Park will reside on a spacious corner off of West Street and Walnut Street, beside Colonel John Wheeler Middle School and a short walk from the Courthouse Square. The event center will cover 2.5 acres and include a 16,000 square foot amenities center, an amphitheater, a splash pad, and a pavilion that doubles as a regulation hockey and ice skating rink. The residents of Crown Point do indeed have good reason to look forward to winters ahead.
“We believe this park is really going to transform and connect our downtown area,” Uran said. “Our downtown is the lifeline of our community.”
Uran said that the project had been in the works for a few years, but that the ball really started rolling once the city acquired the property for Bulldog Park. The official address for the park is 183 South West Street.
“Do you want to know why [that address] is significant?” Uran asked the crowd. “Because as of 2017, it’s been 183 years that this city has existed. We wanted to make that address to go with the history of the city.”
Uran said that the park will improve property value and quality of life for the residents of Crown Point, as well as promote tourism and growth for the area.
“This property will preserve, protect, and enhance property value,” Uran said. “A project like this will provide a 12-month atmosphere for people and families to gather and be what makes Crown Point unique and different from most communities.”
Bulldog Park will allow for such occasions as weddings, performing arts shows and concert series, farmers markets, hockey games, and fun outings with families and friends, all within a convenient and controlled atmosphere.
“By Christmastime, you’re going to be out here skating on the ice!” Mayor Uran said, causing the crowd to break into a round of applause.
Hasse Construction will serve as General Contractor for the project. Anticipatory energy coursed through the Hasse team.
Kim O’Halloran, Hasse Construction’s Director of Business Development, looked forward to working with the City of Crown Point.
“We’re excited to join the Crown Point community in helping to develop what’s going on here,” O’Halloran said. “I think [Bulldog Park] will make a big impact on the community. We’re excited to just be a part of it!”
Bill Hasse, owner of Hasse Construction, accepted the challenge handed to him.
“This is a high profile project, and it’s on a tight time schedule because of the commitment they’ve made to the residents to have ice skating by the end of the year…” Hasse said. “We’ll see if we can make the date!”
The Hasse Construction team has their work cut out for them, but with their hard work and the continuing support of the community, Bulldog Park is going to be awesome no matter when its unveiled.
