The Duneland YMCA, as it’s developing the Healthy Living Campus at the old Chesterton Middle School site, is seeking flexibility that would allow business tenants to rent within the facility.
That’s why they are seeking a use variance from Chesterton’s Board of Zoning Appeals. The Duneland YMCA made its presentation to the BZA Thursday during a preliminary hearing. The BZA will have a public hearing on the request at its next meeting on June 25.
The site is zoned residential with the school and YMCA being permitted uses. The Duneland School Corporation still owns the land and has its administrative offices and some programs on site. The Duneland YMCA for $1 a year leases the property, which also once served as the high school before becoming the middle school.
There is enough space within the building for a number of partners to rent. The idea of the Healthy Living Campus is to bring related agencies that serve the community under one roof.
Attorney Greg Babcock, representing the Duneland YMCA and the Duneland School Corporation, said that they are seeking an all-encompassing variance to avoid having to approach the BZA every time a business wants to rent.
Babcock said there have been talks with a number of potential tenants for the building.
One potential client they talked with was the Northwest Indiana Meals on Wheels. Babcock said there would be a possibility the agency, in addition to preparing meals to be delivered, would want to have a small restaurant on site. People could come in and dine and they wouldn’t have to be a Y member.
A theater group has also approached the Duneland YMCA about using the old school auditorium, which was saved. Much of the west end of the old school complex, including the gym, has been razed.
Dave Kasarda, CEO of the Duneland YMCA, said that any rental agreements are submitted for review by the Duneland School Corporation superintendent and the school board.
Amy Curtis, director of programs for Duneland YMCA, said they would ensure that any tenant would be complementary to the Y’s mission.
With 400 parking spaces, the YMCA site will have plenty of room to accommodate activities at the campus, Babcock said.
Chesterton has a unique opportunity because the Y project is a chance to “refurbish, repair and renew” an old school building in the center of town, Babcock said.
BZA Board President Richard Riley said the YMCA’s request is unusual from the standpoint that they are requesting a use variance without a specific client in mind, which is what happens with most BZA cases.
Board member Joel Ackerman called the Healthy Living Campus “a wonderful project with immense value to the community.” Board members James Kowalski and Fred Owens were also complimentary of the project.
This summer much of the construction will involve sitework around the building and finishing the parking lot, Kasarda said.
The next phase is building the addition of a 15,000-square-foot Dr. John and Linnea Forchetti Wellness Center along with renovation of the old school space now used by the YMCA. The addition will be located on the west side of the building.
Duneland YMCA has already moved most of its programs over to the old school building. After the Wellness Center addition is completed, the YMCA will close its building at 215 Roosevelt Road.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
