The Indiana Senate approved a bill Thursday that would authorize up to $20 million in renovations for the IUPUI stadium where Indianapolis' professional soccer team plays.

The bill rules out construction of a brand-new $82 million stadium for the team – as originally proposed and approved by the House – and would instead keep the team at IUPUI's Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium.

The proposal will now move to a conference committee, where lawmakers from both chambers can work out the details to negotiate a compromise.

The Senate voted 46-3 to approve the bill with little discussion Thursday.

Under the proposal, Indiana University will be responsible for bonding up to $20 million for capital improvements to Carroll Stadium.

The project will be paid for with admissions taxes collected at the stadium, along with tax revenue from a new downtown hotel team owner Ersal Ozdemir plans to build.

Lawmakers say the facility could serve as a multi-purpose stadium. But, as far as negotiating a bill from the House and Senate versions, State Sen. Peter Miller (R-Avon) admits it could be an apples-to-oranges discussion.

"We know that this is the sport of the future, and Indianapolis has been successful at using sports as an economic engine in the past," Miller said. "This is the sport of the future, so we're excited to give them the infrastructure necessary to take the next step."

Indiana Eleven President Peter Wilt applauded the Senate vote in a written statement Thursday.

"We are thrilled that the Senate's vote today furthers our goal to secure a proper stadium for 'the World's Game' and all of its passionate supporters from across Indiana," Wilt said.

Lawmakers have a little less than three weeks remaining in the session to reach a compromise.

 

theindychannel.com

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