Shelby Community Center hosts ribbon cutting

Beth White, center with scissors, cuts the ribbon at the opening of the Shelby Community Center on April 15. (Photo by Chuck Abraham)

“This is where we started.”

Bill Hanna, director of the Dean and Barbara White Foundation of Merrillville, recalled those words originally spoken by Bruce White about his idea to give back to his father’s hometown.

The long-awaited Shelby Community Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 15, giving the public a first look at the new facility.

The new facility, which was funded by the Dean and Barbara White Foundation of Merrillville, cost $5 million. Dean White was a native of Shelby.

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were Rep. Frank J. Mrvan (D-Highland), LeAnn Angerman from the office of U.S. Senator Jim Banks, Cedar Creek Township Trustee Alice Dahl, Eagle Creek Township Trustee Rosie Morrow and West Creek Township Trustee Heidi Laub.

Also in attendance were Lowell Fire Department chief Chris Gamblin and Shelby Fire Department chief Zip Cross, the latter of whom is also the unofficial mayor of the small, riverside community. Tri-Creek School Corporation superintendent Andy Anderson also made a brief appearance at the event.