With an upfront $100 million loan from the State of Indiana, Gary and Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana are moving forward on the construction of the Lake County Convention and Visitors Center.
At the Tuesday, August 19, city council meeting, Mayor Melton’s request to set up a Lake County Convention Center Match fund and department was unanimously approved. The fund was established to accept the first installment of an annual $5 million payment to the State of Indiana over 20 years. Celita Green, Gary’s comptroller said the funds will be sent to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, acting as an agent for the state.
Gary will put in $3.5 million and Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will contribute the remaining $1.5 million.
Green said the first payment is due August 31, 2025.
The 145,000 sq ft convention center building is located next door to the Hard Rock casino. It will have a 40,000 sq ft exhibit hall, a 17,000 sq ft ballroom, and 13,000 sq ft of breakout meeting room space.
Inside, the remaining space will accommodate pre-function areas, restrooms, kitchens, building and kitchen loading/receiving, back-of-house support, administrative offices, mechanical/utility rooms, and storage.
Outside space design includes a drop-off entry plaza, a landscape garden, and a water feature.
Separate from the convention center construction project, Hard Rock will add a 200-room hotel attached to its casino.
Gary is already receiving responses to the Request For Design-Build Qualifications for the convention center.
In the RFQ’s schedule of events, September 2027 has been set for the occupancy date.
According to the schedule of events, finalists selected by July 18, 2025 will be asked to respond to Gary’s Request for Proposals for the convention center. The deadline for the design-builder response is September 15, 2025.
The schedule anticipates the Gary Board of Works selecting and executing a contract with the design-builder firm in October 2025.
There is a January 1, 2028 deadline, required by the state, to begin work on the convention center.