Officials from Oregon Township, Starke County government, Koontz Lake Association, Koontz Lake Lions Club, and the Koontz Lake-Oregon Township Fire Department cut the ribbon on a new digital sign that sits in front of the fire department on State Road 23 in Koontz Lake.
The sign features a scroll of informational items that are happening in the community and fundraisers for the fire department.
Oregon Township Trustee Mark Allen said Oregon Township Board member Rick Minker suggested replacing the sign. They were successful in getting donations from the Koontz Lake Lions Club and the Koontz Lake Association for $1,000 each, and the Starke County Commissioners and Starke County Council agreed to give about $17,000 toward the project. The township came up with the remainder of the cost of the sign which was about $15,000. The total cost of the sign was about $34,000.
Rick Minker was there when the previous sign was installed at fire department over 30 years ago. He was there to help cut the ribbon on the new sign.
“It’s been a great project. A lot of people have commented on how much they really like the sign,” said Minker.
Allen said more improvements are coming soon.
“We’re looking at the kitchen and bathrooms. We’re going to try to work on those and make this more of a community building,” commented Allen.
If anyone would like to donate toward the efforts at the fire department, they can mail in a donation to the fire department at 7784 N. State Road 23 in Walkerton or call the station at 574-586-2288. The firemen hold meetings the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. CT.
