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Westfield Events Center is ready for ‘Grand’ opening

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) – After nine years of planning and building, the Events Center at Grand Park is ready to open.

While planning the indoor sports center, the city was wanting to build a 60,000 square foot facility.

But when it opens Thursday visitors will walk into a space that is six times the size.

“Truth be told, we had no clue what we were doing,” admitted Mayor Andy Cook.

But they figured it out and the Events Center at Grand Park is ready.

“This is our industry. Our industry is hospitality, based on sports and events,” said Mayor Cook.

The entire facility is 370,000 square feet, that’s big enough for three full-size football fields, soccer fields, and full service restaurant.

“We can have lacrosse, we can have rugby, we have marching bands, literally anything that you can do on an open field, baseball, you can do in this building.”

The building also hosted Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Pence for a campaign rally.

Mayor Cook says it was planned in less than five days, and 10,000 people packed into it. Cook says it’s proof they can pull off the big stuff

“The whole package is really coming together and this is just kind of the crown jewel on what our vision was,” said Mayor Cook.

Some residents sneaked into the building on Wednesday.

“It’s my first time and it is a fantastic facility and just wonderful for Westfield,” said Sandy Purnhagen, while taking a break from a walk.

“Fantastic facility, falls in line with everything else that’s out here,” said Bill Purnhage.

Beginning Thursday, there’s a three-day celebration planned for the opening. It will include a T-6 airplane flyover, a soccer game between the Indiana Fire Juniors Boys & Girls U13 soccer teams, food, carnival games, inflatables, movie nights, vendors and preview tours. You can find more information here.

Also, the Jonathan Byrd’s restaurant located inside the Events Center is still hiring.

For more information on the facility’s grand opening, click here.