'Game Changer': Elkhart leaders celebrate largest project in city's history

Out of a partnership between Beacon Health System and the Community Foundation of Elkhart County was unveiled a $65 million, 170,000-square-foot Elkhart Health, Fitness, Aquatics and Community Center. Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese called the project a "game changer" for Elkhart and said that the investment would be big in even a much larger city. 

"This fits in well with the idea of placemaking that we are trying to create here in the city," he said. "Where we have a good quality of life and residents feel good about the city and themselves."

Pete McCown, president of the community foundation, was thrilled to see everything come together. He said that the $10 million grant the foundation contributed towards the project was the largest grant ever handed out by the foundation. 

He identified three projects as key components to energizing the River District along East Jackson Boulevard:

• The aquatic center.

• Luxury apartment project on the site of the former Elkhart Foundry.

• Plans to build a new Martin's Super Market and other redevelopment at the Easy Shopping Plaza