New event center breaks ground near Francesville

FRANCESVILLE - Local officials, contractors and business owners broke ground Friday (Sept. 18) at the site of the future Meadow Springs - A Place for Celebrations, at the corner of U.S. 421 and SR 114, south of Francesville.

Meadow Springs is soon to be the area's newest and largest venue - a full-service event center with two conference/banquet rooms. The project has been financed, in part, by the Pulaski County Revolving Loan Fund and the Regional Development Company. 

Flanked by family and employees of Celebrations/Meadow Springs, owners Gary and Sandy Saltsman break ground for their new events center, along with Dene Mattocks of Bank of Kentland (white shirt), Tony Deno of FBI Builders, and Nathan Origer of Pulaski County CDC. (CDC photo)

Meadow Springs will accommodate groups of all sizes. The smaller banquet room (also used for a back up location for garden weddings) will accommodate up to 120 with tables and chairs, or 200 with just seating. The large banquet room is intended for groups up to 500. The venue also has a seperate area for cocktails and a buffet.

Property owners are Gary and Sandy Saltsman of Medaryville whose Celebrations company has been in the decorating and catering events business since 2006.

Whether an event is a business meeting with afternoon snacks, a luncheon, or an event with appetizers and a plated meal - the Celebrations staff works with clients to provide the event they desire, within their budget.

The new full service event venue, with beautiful space for outdoor events, also has an on-site bed-and-breakfast. - The Manor at Meadow Springs.

Since 1904, the stately home has been a landmark along U.S. 421, near the intersection with SR 114. The bed-and-breakfast is conveniently located in southwestern Pulaski County, halfway between Lafayette and Valparaiso.  Many vacationers have noticed the home as they traveled, often on their way to Indiana Beach.

The facility offers six guest rooms, formal living and dining rooms, breakfast nook, sitting room, a country porch, and even a laundy room for extended stays.

The Saltsmans purchased the property in 2013 as the location for the planned banquet facility. The large home on the property was remodeled in 2014 to provide modern comfort and amenities for guests, while preserving the original character of the home.