Schererville seeks public input on future of Illiana Speedway site

The town of Schererville is gathering ideas for future redevelopment at the site of the former Illiana Motor Speedway. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report town officials are looking at a variety of recreation amenities for the site, which has sat vacant since 2016.

The town acquired the 60-acre property, which held stock car races for 70 years before shutting down, in 2016. The Schererville Town Council held a public hearing Wednesday during which participants filled out a survey on what they would like to see brought to the site.

Among the options on the survey, according to The Times, were a bandshell, basketball courts, a golf course, baseball fields, softball fields, a pool, a BMX bike track, field hockey, an arboretum, a multipurpose stadium, a soccer field, an ice rink, public art, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a playground, a skate park, a water park, a dog park, multi-use trails, a sportsplex, pickleball courts and a botanical garden. 

The publication said some residents suggested creating a pavilion for town events, walking paths and an indoor recreation space.

The town plans to allow residents to continue submitting suggestions throughout June.

“We’re not just going to have a conversation and then forget what we talked about,” Councilman Kevin Connelly said. “We are going to consider the top three, top five, and then look at how we’re going to finance the project.”

Council President Tom Schmitt said council and the park board expect to create a plan and issue a Request for Qualifications this summer.

You can read the full story from The Times of Northwest Indiana’s Molly DeVore by clicking here.