MERRILLVILLE | A Boys and Girls Club in Merrillville could provide many benefits to the town, but some town officials remain hesitant to financially support such a project with issues such as funding for police officer raises still unresolved.

Council members and other town officials met in a Parks and Recreation Committee meeting Tuesday to discuss what direction the town is willing to take regarding the proposed club.

"We can do it," said Councilman Lance Huish, who also serves as the chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee and as a Merrillville police officer. "We just have to decide if we want to."

By the end of the meeting, committee members were only willing to allow the town to begin investigating land acquisition for the club.

Town Councilman Shawn Pettit said agreeing to construct the facility -- at a cost of millions of dollars -- could upset police who have been fighting for a pay increase to keep officers from the leaving Merrillville for other higher paying jobs.

Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch began seeking higher wages for officers late last year, but the town hasn't been able to find the money.

Huish, who also serves as the Merrillville police operations commander, said the Boys and Girls Club structure would be funded through a bond, which the town would not be able to use to increase employee salaries.

He also believes police would understand if the town decided to move forward with the Boys and Girls Club project because it would help keep Merrillville children and teens out of trouble, meaning fewer police calls for service.

Boys and Girls Club President and CEO Lincoln Ellis said the proposed facility would be the only one of its kind in Northwest Indiana by providing programs for all children -- infants to high school seniors.