Phase two of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation’s expansion plan took a major step forward in September with the dedication of the new Peter B. Orthwein Pavilion, according to Darryl Searer, president of the Foundation.
Honoree Peter B. Orthwein is the longtime executive and co-founder of Thor Industries Inc., a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2014 and a major supporter of the foundation.
“The new 22,960-square-foot, year-round pavilion is the centerpiece of the 27-acre improvements on the east side of the existing RV/MH Hall of Fame, Museum and Event Center which includes one-million square-foot blacktop surfacing with parking lot lighting and landscaping,” Searer says. “It also features an RV rally site with electric hookups for approximately 230 RVs.”
The foundation will add the finishing touches to the expansion next spring by adding two dump stations and striping for RV parking.
“It will be great not only for indoor events, but also for outdoor events such as RV rallies, as well as RV, boat and car shows,” Searer says. “We have already booked a major pontoon boat show.”
The new pavilion provides banquet seating for 1,200 people at round tables and theater seating for more than 2,500 people. There are two family restrooms, large women’s and men’s restrooms and an 1,100 square-foot catering prep room. The event center will accommodate approximately 230 ten-foot booths.
“We are real excited about the new opportunities for the Northern Indiana Event Center this expansion provides to host more and larger events which supports the Foundation,” Searer says, “as well as the services we are able to offer companies, groups and individuals in the Greater Michiana area.”
