Indiana Dunes State Park pavilion alcohol wins governor's approval

Pavilion Partners, which has a 35-year lease with the DNR to renovate the historic Dunes pavilion and operate various dining and event spaces there, twice was denied an alcohol sales permit last year by the Porter County Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Under the new law, which takes effect July 1, the DNR must be issued a permit by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission if it requests one, and any entity that contracts with the agency in a state park would be permitted to sell alcohol using that license.

Nearly 10,000 Region residents signed petitions urging the Republican-controlled General Assembly and the governor to reject the plan for alcohol in the park, citing the potential for drunks on the beach, increased drownings and new competition for nearby businesses.

After the governor approved the measure, Dunes Action!, a coalition of Northwest Indiana residents opposed to alcohol in the park and the possibility that a banquet center will be constructed next to the pavilion, condemned Pence for "selling out family-friendly state parks for booze."

State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, whose district includes the park, said Pence is wrong to send the message that if you can't win with local officials who know what their communities need, come to the state and you'll get it, anyway.

"If they didn't get what they want, then maybe they should have gone back and renegotiated some of the terms," Tallian said.

Project supporters, including local building trades unions, Region tourism organizations, Pence's commerce agency, Northwest Indiana Forum and the DNR say alcohol is needed to ensure the renovated pavilion becomes a dining and wedding destination for tourists and residents alike.