Bloomingdale officials holding idea session for use of former Indian Lakes golf course

A year after purchasing the former Indian Lakes golf course, Bloomingdale officials will host a public meeting at village hall to hear proposals for what might go on the space.

The meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at village hall, 201 South Bloomingdale Road, is to solicit input from members of the community, Village Administrator Peter Scalera said.

He said that while the majority of the site will remain open space, it will be helpful to hear what amenities people suggest for some of the site. Scalera said he has heard numerous suggestions from residents, including a dog park, band pavilion or making part of the site a golf course again.

"This is the chance for people to really let the board hear what they want," Scalera said. "We can then have that discussion to work with a planner who would help to create something for the area."

The village paid $14.08 million last December for the roughly 188-acre former golf course as well as 15 acres along the south side of Schick Road between Country Club and Cardinal Drives.

The deal did not include the resort's conference center buildings or the former hotel, which closed earlier this year after a Feb. 6 fatal shooting during a party involving more than 100 people on the hotel's upper floors.

After the golf course closed in 2016, First ILR and K. Hovnanian Homes proposed building 535 ranch-style houses on the property. But residents strongly opposed the idea, with 700 people turning out at a public hearing in 2019.

Currently, part of the golf course has been converted to a 5-mile walking and biking path.