Indy Fuel owners to build $20M ice sports complex in Greenwood

3 March 2017

An exciting new development to the tune of $20 million is in the works in Greenwood. Indy Fuel will be building an iceplex facility in the city.

Indy Fuel will not be relocating. The new facility will be open to the public. It’ll offer a variety of ice sports; hockey, ice skating, and curling, for example.Indy Fuel will lease the land in Greenwood for $1 a month. In exchange, they’re agreeing to fund the multi-million dollar project. It’ll be the largest in the Midwest.

The plan is to build the facility in Freedom Park right next to the aquatic center. It’ll be 115,000 square feet featuring two ice rinks and two turf fields.“Build a four plex ice rink that’s going to have two sheets of ice to start with and then an indoor lacrosse field and an indoor soccer field,” said Greenwood  Mayor, Mark Myers.

It would also have a restaurant, fitness center and retail space according to Myers. He says it would primarily be used for youth travel hockey leagues.“It’s a popular sport. I was unaware of how popular youth hockey leagues were. So, yes, this is going to grow,” he said.But it isn’t just a win for the city. Residents and local businesses are also looking forward to the new facility.

“I am very excited. Hockey is unique. Soccer is unique,” said Oaken Barrel owner, Kwang Casey.Casey’s business has survived the economic ups and downs for more than two decades.

“I’ve been pairing food with beer for 23 years. Now, it’s a hot new trend,” he laughed.The iceplex is expected to bring in tourists from all over the Midwest. Casey sees this as a big opportunity for business.

“If we even get 10 percent of business from them, that could be an extra 200 customers on a weekend. That’s a big bump,” he said.Although it’s too early to tell what the economic impact will be, Mayor Myers is optimistic.

“The impact, I don’t know what it’s going to be yet. But just from what I’ve heard through conversations, it’s going to be something very big,” he said.The turf fields can be converted into two additional ice rinks if needed. The project has to be approved by the Economic Development Committee and then city council. Construction is expected to begin later this summer and will take a year and half to complete.

 

Source:wishtv.com