A new family entertainment center is set to be developed in LaPorte, Indiana, following a recent government meeting where a development agreement was approved. Local developers Ben Kanowitz and Reinhart Ashley Hart plan to construct the Full Tilt Family Fund Center on the Dietrich Steel property, located behind the Kroger complex and adjacent to the Dunes Event Center. The project is expected to involve a capital investment of approximately $10.6 million and will feature a variety of attractions, including twelve bowling lanes, laser tag, two miniature golf courses, virtual darts, sports simulators, arcade games, and a restaurant and bar.

The agreement stipulates that construction must commence by August 2025, with several contingencies outlined in the contract. A significant aspect of the project involves the redevelopment commission's commitment to build a public parking lot that will serve the new center, the Dunes Event Center, and nearby Clear Lake improvements. The parking lot is intended to alleviate overflow parking issues currently experienced during events at the Dunes.

Additionally, the developers plan to apply for an investment deduction and utilize the riverfront liquor license program, both of which require future council approval. Environmental considerations were also discussed, with assurances that the current condition of the property is manageable, and any necessary remediation will be handled in collaboration with state environmental agencies.

In another matter, the council approved a resolution to transfer a vacant lot, previously the site of a fire-damaged rental property, to the local school corporation. This land will be used for a building trades project, allowing students to construct a new home, thereby promoting hands-on learning and community development.

The meeting highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to enhance recreational opportunities for families and support local educational initiatives, reflecting a commitment to community growth and engagement.