Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
MITCHELL – First lady Janet Holcomb along with state and local officials celebrated the re-opening of the Spring Mill Inn at Spring Mill State Park Wednesday following an extensive renovation.
The inn has been closed for two years. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources invested $30 million in the project that took the inn’s interior down to the studs.
New infrastructure included fire alarms, water lines, sprinkler system and HVAC. All 71 guest rooms were completely refurbished with new plumbing, bathroom fixtures, furnishings, carpet and paint. Energy efficient windows and doors also were installed.
To improve accessibility, the front desk was moved to a more central location. The Lakeview room and dining room were repainted and the large windows in the Lakeview room have a special design to prevent birds from striking them.
The inn opened in 1939 and, other than some cosmetic updates, had never been renovated to the extent of the recent work.
Dan Bortner, director of Indiana DNR, said at one point during the project, the inn’s interior “looked like a four-story skating rink.”
Bortner said throughout the renovation, the state Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology was involved to make sure the inn’s history was preserved. He said the goal was to give guests a modern experience while preserving the history.
Bortner, a lifelong Lawrence County resident, called the park “a special place.”
“As you walk though here, I think the public for generations to come will appreciate the work that’s been done,” Bortner said.
“This is a place where Hoosier hospitality and southern Indiana charm aren’t just phrases. They are our way of life here,” Bortner said. “These principles guide the experiences that we hope you’ll have when you drive through the front gates and walk in the inn’s new accessible entrance.”
The park, which draws about 600,000 guests each year, remained open during the renovation.
“I believe that number will continue to grow,” he said.
Next Level funding for DNR
Funding for the renovation came from Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level agenda that allocated $100 million to the DNR for deferred maintenance. The project fell under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Administration.
“This was an extraordinary opportunity to do something very special,” said Rebecca Holwerda, director of IDA. “Gov. Holcomb has put a priority on quality of life and placemaking so it seemed appropriate we would spend some money improving, updating and modernizing our state assets so more Hoosiers could enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors.”
Janet Holcomb, first lady of Indiana, recalled her first visit to Spring Mill and visits to a number of other DNR state parks. She said those early visits led to a lifelong love of the outdoors.
“From trees to trails to the renovation we celebrate today. I share my heartfelt thanks to the entire team at DNR and IDA, to private funders, corporate partners and legislative leaders who have created this legacy,” she said.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the inn was open for tours to guests and later to the public.
The inn’s dining room will be open Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving buffet. Inn Manager Tosha Walton noted the buffet sold out in a day and a half. The inn will begin taking reservations for lodging and events starting Dec. 6.
There is still some work to be done. The indoor/outdoor splash pad that will replace the old pool is yet to be completed and a second elevator will be added.
In closing, Bortner paid homage to Col. Richard Lieber, who recommended that a state park system be created as part of the state’s centennial celebration in 1916. Lieber oversaw the restoration of the grist mill and Pioneer Village when Spring Mill joined the state park system in 1927.
“I do believe Col. Lieber would be proud of the work we’ve done here to bring Spring Mill into the 21st century for our guests.”
