Zion extends a welcome to haunted house from Lake Co. fairgrounds

Following a flip-flop of board votes over a two-week span, the Legendary Dungeon of Doom Haunted House will move to a two-story, 37,000-square-foot former warehouse in Zion to operate for the Halloween season.

The haunted house, which operated for 12 years on the former Lake County Fairgrounds property in Grayslake, will open for 19 nights from Sept. 25 through Oct. 31 after the Zion city council voted Tuesday to approve a special-use permit.

The facility is an old electronics warehouse on Deborah Avenue, just east of Sheridan Road and south of Route 173.

"I am ecstatic," said owner Pete Koklamanis. "I felt like I was pushed under the carpet on this issue originally, but now that they voted this way, I'm glad it's over and I have a better appreciation of the mayor and staff."

The search for a new home for the popular haunted house started after the Lake County Fair moved across Grayslake from routes 120 and 45 to its new location on Petersen Road. Koklamanis said he originally intended to move with the fairgrounds, but the Zion building was a better option.

After Koklamanis obtained the facility and invested heavily in the business, Zion leaders voted to deny the special-use permit two weeks ago, saying they did not approve of the haunted house customers driving though a residential neighborhood to get to the former Warwick Electronics building.

Also, several Zion clergy members persuaded city officials to deny the permit, saying operating a haunted house is morally wrong.

Koklamanis threatened litigation against the city. The council revoted Tuesday and approval of the permit by a 3 to 2 margin.

Had Zion not approved the special-use permit, Koklamanis said, he would have tried to return to the former fairgrounds property.

"But, honestly that's not important any more," he said. "I'm glad it's over."