Club plugs in to young adultsMERRILLVILLE | Owners of a new dance club in town hope the establishment will help address the need for a place where young adults can spend their time.
Ed and Dana Malone opened Voltage dance club at 1500 E. 83rd Ave. on Sept. 26, which strictly caters to patrons 17 to 20 years old.
The club is open from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and offers several dance areas as well as screens showing music videos. There is also a lounge with pool tables and dart boards for those who don't feel like dancing, Dana Malone said.
Ed and Dana are no strangers to the dance club business. The two also own Hooligan's nightclub, which is located next to Voltage.
Dana Malone said there won't be any problems with the crowds from the two locations mixing because Voltage is open on Fridays and Hooligan's is open on Thursdays and Saturdays.
In June, some town councilmen had safety concerns when they contemplated approving a special exception to open the club, but ended up approving the special exception after hearing about the security. The approval also came with some conditions, including a three-month review of the establishment.
Dana Malone said two off-duty police officers will be hired in addition to her own security staff at the location. There also will be a metal detector at Voltage.
Town Councilman Lance Huish, who also serves as the Merrillville police operations commander, said on-duty police officers also will likely stop at the location when they are not busy with a call to make sure there are no problems.
Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch said the Police Department hasn't received calls for service at the facility and he doesn't anticipate problems at Voltage.
Huish said as long as the owners provide young adults with a safe place to meet with their friends, he won't have any problems with the establishment.
"We need things for younger people to do," Huish said.
Voltage Dance Club
1500 E. 83rd Ave.
Open from 8:30 p.m to 1 a.m. Fridays
Admission is $15
Identification is required to enter