By Mitchell Kirk | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY — After renting space for years, New Palestine’s American Legion post is planning to build a home of its own.
New Palestine American Legion Post 182 recently bought about 3 acres off the south side of U.S 40 between County Roads South 400W and 500W for its new lodge. The property is just west of Washington Village Apartments.
Mike Fowler, vice commander of the post, said it hasn’t had its own building for as far back as he can remember.
The post, which turns 100 this year, met at the local Lions Club and then Adaggios Banquet Hall and Conference Center, until the COVID-19 pandemic hampered that arrangement. Meetings have also been held at a local business.
Fowler said he and his fellow post members want a place for U.S. military veterans to congregate and be with others of like mind. The post has a roster of a little over 200, he said, with monthly meetings usually drawing about 30.
“We would like to support the veterans in this corner of the county,” he said.
Greenfield and Fortville also have American Legion posts.
“So we found some land we can afford,” Fowler continued. “We basically took what money we had and bought that land.”
The post paid Willis Properties LLC $60,000 for it in September 2020, according to real estate transfers recorded in the Hancock County recorder’s office.
Fowler said the post initially planned to buy the land and build funds back up for the lodge. The pandemic has been getting in the way of that, he continued, but the post is going to do what it can with what it has.
They’re hoping for a lodge of about 6,000 square feet, Fowler said. He added they’d like to have it built in a way so that more can be added on in the future as funds allow. They’re also hoping for a kitchen one day for serving meals, as well as a canteen.
Plans filed with the county’s planning department also call for a parking lot with space for about 100 cars. Hours of operation would initially be limited to meetings and special events, including regular meetings held by the post, Sons of the American Legion, Legion Riders and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Plans also call for current tree lines to be maintained as a noise and sight buffer and for landscaping to harmonize with that of adjacent properties.
“We want to be good neighbors, wherever we go,” Fowler said.
The Hancock County Area Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously granted a special exception last month to allow a lodge/private club on the property.
“We’re essentially looking for a permanent home for ourselves, and we believe we’ve found that here,” post commander Tom Ayer said at that meeting.
Ayer also said the post would eventually apply for a liquor license for the property and plan to make the building available to be rented out, but that any amplified music would cease by 10 p.m.
Next, the post will work with county authorities on the plans, including the highway department on the entrance off U.S 40, Fowler said. Permits will also have to be secured before building begins.
The post regularly hosts fundraisers, including poker tournaments, from which money gets donated in the community and to veterans organizations. In 2019, the post gave away more than $60,000, Fowler said.
To donate to and learn more about the post, visit legion182.org.
