Great opportunity for Winfield Inn

As I hear and read about Winfield's budget shortfall to fix our streets, I can't help but think that developing Roosevelt Road is part of the solution.

I realize that our village board is diligently working to develop our Town Center to bring in revenue and I'm very hopeful that it happens someday. But just as a wise investment advisor tells you to diversify your portfolio, Winfield must diversify its sources of new revenue. We can't put all our eggs into the Town Center basket and we can't keep hoping that more businesses will open on Geneva Road. We have to open up the most widely travelled road in Winfield to the development community.

I've been thinking about the types of business that would fit in well in the Roosevelt and Winfield roads area and what came to mind was Cantigny. Since 2008, when Cantigny opened Les Jardins restaurant, they've gone from booking 5 to 8 wedding receptions per year to 65 wedding receptions per year. When asked where they refer the wedding guests, they told me they refer them to the Lisle Hilton. What a perfect opportunity for Winfield to offer accommodations across the street from Cantigny at The Winfield Inn.

I imagine something quaint to fit with the character of the village nestled among the trees across from Cantigny. We could also expect these guests to patronize other Winfield businesses as well as Central DuPage Hospital visitors to take advantage of the Inn, as it would be the closest accommodations to the hospital.

I believe that if done correctly with proper attention to architecture and location that the Inn will be an asset that our community can be proud of. I hope that our elected officials find ways to capitalize on this opportunity.

Patti Weber

Winfield