Spring Mill Inn Renovation

The goal of this project is the modernization of all the inn’s mechanical systems while retaining the historic, natural look and feel of the public spaces and the comfortable rooms that guests enjoy.

• The exterior appearance of the inn will stay the same, but with new windows and doors. The “behind the scenes” mechanical work will include a new fire alarm system and water lines, a new sprinkler system, and a new HVAC system.
• Accessibility upgrades will include interior ramp access directly into the lobby and sales offices, and a second elevator will be installed that provides better access to the upper and lower levels of the inn.
• The front desk will be moved to provide a more welcoming atmosphere as guests arrive, but the public spaces such as the main lobby and downstairs area will still provide comfortable gathering spaces for music, family games, reading, and relaxing by the fireplace.
• Sleeping rooms will receive furnishing and further bathroom upgrades, along with painting and other cosmetic improvements. Structural changes may occur in some rooms due to the mechanical changes and improvements.
• The Lakeview Room and Millstone Dining Room will be painted and undergo other cosmetic improvements, and there also may be some visible structural changes created by the mechanical modernization.

The existing indoor/outdoor pool will be replaced with a surface level splash pad, which will provide easy play opportunities for families and children. The splash pad is still under construction with anticipated completion in 2025.

There are no plans to expand the number of inn rooms or meeting spaces at this time.

The inn, conference center, and restaurant will close to the public on November 13, 2022.

Lodging reservations will be accepted beginning December 6, 2024. The Millstone Dining Room in the inn will reopen with a daily menu for meals on December 6, 2024.

Yes. Improvements are being made to the staircases, the facades, and traffic flow. The parking deck will also be treated.

Funding for this project is provided through Governor Holcomb and the State’s General Assembly as a part of an infusion of dollars to address deferred maintenance needs in Indiana State Parks and at other DNR properties.

Our deferred maintenance dollars are administered through the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) in cooperation with the DNR divisions of Engineering and State Parks. The Engineering Collaborative, Ratio Design, and Lawson-Elser Engineering Consultants designed the renovations and produced the construction documents. The general contractor for the project is Glenroy Construction.

Yes. Any building on state property that is more than 50 years old with a high degree of integrity in its appearance and location is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, so changes like this require a review and approval by the DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA). This project was reviewed and approved by DHPA, and ongoing discussions and monitoring are being facilitated as needed through our Indiana State Parks cultural resources manager to ensure that we maintain the historical integrity of the inn.

This is a major project that requires removal of virtually everything from the inn. That includes but is not limited to televisions, beds, dishes, dining room tables and chairs, lobby and office furnishings, most kitchen equipment, and much more. Some items will be stored for future use in the inn when it reopens. Most will be used in other inn locations or replaced to be compatible with the newly renovated facility.

Yes, there are a few, and these will be evaluated carefully and stored appropriately.

All inn associates will remain employed during the renovation. No layoffs or terminations are expected due to the closure. You may see these team members working throughout the park or at other inn locations when assistance is needed. The inn will maintain an office with telephone and electronic communications inside the park to answer questions, make day-to-day contacts, and conduct future sales.

The current mechanical infrastructure does not have valves to allow individual sections of the inn to be shut off. The critical components, including domestic water lines, water/HVAC systems, and the sprinkler system are integrated and must be replaced all at once. The new system will include valves to allow section closures when future repairs are needed.

Yes, we anticipate that there will be a buffet of some sort. That might range from a soup and salad bar to a full buffet for special occasions. We are evaluating how that might be implemented based on food costs, occupancy, interest, and other factors.

We know that it is fun to see work as it progresses, but most of these renovations will not be visible from outside the building. For safety, security and liability reasons, access to the inn will be restricted to contractors and State staff involved with the project. The road to the inn will be closed where it meets the main park road. Hiking trails will remain open throughout the park. We will use Spring Mill State Park’s Facebook page to keep guests updated on the work as it happens.

There may be opportunities for construction employment, depending on the selection of the general contractor and subcontractors. Local organizations who regularly use the inn for gatherings will need to relocate temporarily to other spaces. The park has a variety of outdoor locations available for use, when outside space will fit a group’s needs, along with the six other inns in our system.