Draft:Y&W Drive In

Y&W Drive In also known as Lowes Y&W and Sony Y&W was a drive in movie theather located in Merrillville, Indiana along Broadway Avenue in a plot of land where the Dean and Barbara White Community Center sits on today.

History
In June 1933 Richard Hollingshead's Grand Dream opened at Camden, New Jersey he think that a movie theather cannot have cars inside but what about outside the movie theater but you are watching a movie

Y&W Drive In opened on May of 1953 as a single screen drive in with a capacity of 1,600 cars along with a carosel and a playground. It also had concessions for snacks for people to get or refill. In 1971 they added a 2 screen increasing capacity from 1,600 cars to 3,200 cars. 10 years later in 1981 a 3rd screen was added increasing from 3,200 cars to 4,800 cars. In 1990's attendance droped when Southlake Mall added a movie theather and when the shopping district opened. The drive in movie theather was seen obsolete when gangs increased. In 1997 after 44 years of operation the Y&W Drive In closed in the fall. 2002 when the marquee sign was sold to the Merrillville History Museum located also in merrillville the land sat abandoned for 9 years untill 2004 when the land was ready for demolition. the plot of land sat empty.

In 2018 the town wanted to vote for a community center. The community center will feature 3 basketball courts and indoor running track and fitness a desinger won. Construction Started on 2019 and On March 1, 2021 the Dean and Barbara White Community Center Opens where the Y&W drive in movie theater once stood.