MERRILLVILLE | The Rink has become a popular establishment for teens, but residents and town officials have some concerns about noise and the amount of people flowing out of the business on Saturday nights.

Merrillville police Operations Cmdr. Lance Huish said police have been dispatched to the facility at 7930 Whitcomb St. on several Saturday evenings after receiving noise complaints from residents. He said police also have to direct traffic on Whitcomb Street because of traffic caused by people trying to leave the building.

Huish said officers reported between 500 and 800 people there at a time, but Antwan Thorbs, who operates The Rink, said there's about 150 to 300 teens who normally come to the business.

Thorbs said the business is open from 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturdays. He said Saturday is the busiest night because The Rink offers teen dances.

Thorbs also said the business employs between 10 and 12 security officers during the weekend, and police are there only as a precaution.

Last week, a juvenile suffered from a broken jaw and a laceration to the mouth after being punched in the face by another juvenile at The Rink, Huish said.

He said police expect to refer the case to Lake County Juvenile Court.

Town Councilman Dave Uzelac said when a large number of teens are congregating in one area, there's bound to be one "bad apple."

"It wasn't like someone got killed," Uzelac said.

The Rink is in Uzelac's ward, and he has been supportive of the facility, arguing teens need a place to go during the weekends.

Town Councilman Rich Hardaway said he also supports the business and Thorbs' ideas. But the increase in police calls at the facility are a concern, Hardaway said.

"I agree we always need a place for our children, but we don't want to put our children in harm's way," Hardaway said.