Government Center’s lot will
be used for race
The Lake County Government Center’s south parking lot will soon have a new use: Race track.
The Board of Commissioners on Wednesday agreed to let the Indiana Northwest Region of the Sports Car Club of America use the south parking lot for a “low-speed driving maneuver competition.”
The group will use the parking lots on June 24, Sept. 23 and Oct 21 for the competitions after signing a $1 lease for the property on those days.
County Attorney John Dull said the organization holds all the liability on the days it will use the property.
“They’re going to be on the hook for everything,” Dull said.
George Rogge, a member of the organization, said the group has a $10 million insurance policy.
A letter to the commissioners said the event will be staffed with members of the Sheriff’s Department for security. The group will block the entrances to the lot where the competition will take place, according to the letter, but leave access open for Sheriff’s Department, jail and 911 employees.
“I think it’s a good event,” Dull said. “It’s not a first.”
Rogge said the group had used the county’s parking lot about 10 years ago before moving to the Majestic Star Casino’s property in Gary.
“Now that lot is not available,” Rogge said.
The south parking lot had previously been used by ABATE, a motorcycle safety training group, until the commissioners canceled the contract in 2017. ABATE had paid $500 a month to rent a portion of the parking lot for its classes.
Commissioner Mike Repay, D-Hammond, said unlike the ABATE classes, the car club isn’t doing its events for any financial gain and it’s a spectator event.
“We’re not involved in any sort of commerce,” Repay said.
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