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Fishers council begins process to decide on a multi-use sports complex

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Monday night Fishers City Council members approved the first step in the process of building a $76 million dollar sports complex.

It would be built near the intersection of 136th Street and Olio Road.

Monday, the city council laid the groundwork for the process in getting approval for this project that would be used for Olympic-style sporting events as well as for community sports.

The developers laid out specifics for funding for the council members.

GK Sports is the development firm behind the proposed Fishers Sports Pavilion.

Monday, its leaders made their initial pitch to the Fishers city council and community.

“To establish a multipurpose facility that the community would have access to but at the same time we could have a variety of events championships,” Barry Kiesel, GK Sports partner, said.

Mayor Scott Fadness said he supports the plan because the building, which would include a 4,200 seat arena and adjoining field house will be privately funded and operated.

“Recently, GK Sports Development Group came to us with an economic structure we think could make an awful lot of sense here in our community,” he said.

While the city wouldn’t write any checks for the construction, part of that economic structure are $2 million dollars in tax abatement and a fixed 20-year lease for use of part of the complex.

That agreement has some residents raising their eyebrows.

“It’s a 20-year lease, I’d rather see it incrementally, maybe a five-year lease with an option to renew at the same terms,” resident Michael Colby said.

“At this point, I’m looking for more information concerned about the finances and how that’s being arranged and whether or not it’s necessary,” resident Greg Purvis said.

City council members approved a resolution to begin this project, but said they will be taking a close look at the long term impact throughout the coming weeks.

There was no public comment on Monday, but there will be meetings for that in the future.

The first is May 12 with the planning commission.

There is a second reading of the ordinance and resolution at the May 18 council meeting.

There will also be a series of public information sessions in Fishers about the project.

  • April 22 at Crosspoint Church, 6 p.m.
  • April 30 at Launch Fishers, 6 p.m.
  • May 7 at City of Fishers Auditorium, 6 p.m.