Triple grand opening celebrated in Shipshewana

SHIPSHEWANA - Splash Universe Indoor Water Park Resort, Shipshewana Town Center and Hostetler's Hudson Auto Museum opened their doors Friday with a big celebration.

Six hundred people enjoyed the attractions at the water park while special grand opening ceremonies took place in Town Center. The auto museum's founder, Eldon Hostetler, received two honors during the ceremony. (See related article)

Several dignitaries spoke at the event.

Valparaiso-based Splash Universe President and Chief Executive Officer Jerald Good explained that his mom, who is from the Shipshewana-Middlebury area, had always wanted a home in Shipshewana. And in some way, Good said, this was his way of honoring his late mom's request.

Good, a self-described car nut, said that having a car museum next to his water park was exciting for him. "I thought this could be a deal made in heaven," he told the crowd.

All of the speakers talked about what a long, hard job it was to make this dream come to fruition. Some of the obstacles included funding, wetlands and mechanics.

Good said the resort was supposed to open in March or April, but they underestimated the engineering and technical needs. But he assured the crowd, "We have enough capability to move water up the Mississippi."

Shipshewana Town Council president Roger Yoder told the crowd, "We never gave up and today we get to see the finish line."

The complex created 100 new jobs - significant for a town with a population of 536.

Dean Morgan, general manager of Town Center who emceed the affair, said the water park and auto museum are expected to draw another 150,000 people to Shipshewana.

Yoder said after the event that he anticipates the attraction not just being a boon to Shipshewana, but to all of its neighboring communities.

There is 61,000 square feet of conference room space that, according to Vice President of Marketing Shawn Bowman, is also ideal for weddings. The conference center has its own full kitchen on site and has all the technology needed for business conferences, including being wireless.