Here’s what will replace EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester

A Hindu temple will take over the space of a model train-themed West Chester amusement park.

Tri-State Umiya Dharma, a Hindu organization currently based in Mason, plans to buy and renovate the six-acre EnterTRAINment Junction site into a temple, according to a zoning application submitted to West Chester Township officials. EnterTRAINment Junction will close in January.

According to the application, the religious organization intends to expand the building’s roof and convert the outside train tracks into play areas. The interior of the 80,000-sqaure-foot building will be remodeled to include a dining room, assembly hall, temple, kitchen, riser room, several offices, activity space and a storage area.

West Chester’s board of trustees voted to approve a zoning change request for the redevelopment on Oct. 23. During the meeting, trustee Ann Becker said the temple will be a “good fit” for the space due to its large size, accessibility and parking lot.

The property, located at 7379 Squire Court next to Interstate-75, is owned by Squire Road Property, LLC.

EnterTRAINment Junction owner Don Oeters announced his plans to close the 16-year-old attraction in June.

“This has been a labor of love for so many years and a lot of really good people have put their hearts and souls into this project to make it the best family attraction possible,” he said in a release.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hindu temple to replace EnterTRAINment Junction