The Fishers City Council has delayed a vote on an incentive package for a proposed $76.4 million recreational sports center at I-69 Exit 210, as the developers finalize financing.

Hamilton County-based GK Sports and Entertainment proposes to build a 6,000-seat arena, a 245,000-square-foot fieldhouse, a 630-space parking garage, several office buildings, and eventually, a hotel with meeting space.

Fishers officials had hoped the council could vote Monday on an incentive package that includes a 10-year tax abatement valued at $2 million over that period, the waiver of roughly $1 million in permitting fees and an $805,000 annual lease agreement for local youth sports access.

GK Sports co-owner Barry Kiesel said he hopes a private appraisal on the complex will be finished later this week — the final step needed to secure financing.

"Our financing is in place," Kiesel said. "The underwriter is waiting for the appraisal."

Mayor Scott Fadness Fadness said city officials generally are supportive of the project. Unless serious opposition emerges, he anticipates the financing package would be approved.

The city likely would call a special meeting to vote if GK Sports secures financing soon.

GK Sports is eager to break ground as soon as possible in order to open the complex in 2016 on 20 acres at I-69 Exit 210 in the Saxony development.

The city held public meetings on April 22, April 30 and May 7 to gauge community reaction to the proposed deal. While some neighbors were concerned about the project, Fadness said most were supportive.

Youth and recreational sports can bring in big bucks from tourism. Hamilton County Tourism Inc. estimates the annual economic impact of the facility in Fishers will be $110 million.

Kiesel said the location is ideal for a number of reasons, including high local interest in youth sports, easy access off I-69 and plenty of shopping and eating options nearby.

Kiesel said talks are ongoing with undisclosed developmental ice hockey teams to play at the arena, which could be converted to accommodate ice hockey, basketball, concerts and other community events.

The Indiana Ice of the U.S. Hockey League still are searching for a new home.

Kiesel said he's also talking with a developmental soccer league team. He said the fieldhouse could accommodate 31 different sports. It would include a baseball training area, 12 basketball courts and a multipurpose field the size of a soccer field.

GK Sports would manage the facility and lease the space, mostly to youth sports leagues. Kiesel said several deals are pending.

Fishers' $805,000 in lease money would rent space in the fieldhouse daily during the school year for HSE Youth Sports, a local recreational league with 11,500 members.

A 200-meter walking/jogging track on a mezzanine in the fieldhouse also would be open to Fishers residents daily.

Fishers isn't the only Hamilton County city to offer incentives to lure a sports facility.

Westfield is backing a $25.7 million developers' loan to build a 370,000-square-foot indoor soccer arena that recently broke ground at Grand Park.

Westfield proposes to utilize user fees to pay back the loan, but taxes ultimately back that deal, unlike in Fishers.

 

indystar.com

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