North American Soccer League (NASL) club, Indy Eleven, has released renderings of a proposed US$82m spots and entertainment stadium in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.
According to club president and general manager Peter Wilt, the Populous-designed development is to be user-funded with construction paid for by stadium revenue and stadium-generated taxes. However, this particular funding mechanism still needs to be approved by the Indiana General Assembly before any work can commence. If approved, it is believed that the funding model will not result in any increase in city or state taxes, nor will it divert taxpayer dollars earmarked for services or programs funded by the city or state.
The facility would seat more than 18,000 and be located downtown, though no specific site has been earmarked yet.
Indy Eleven had previously pushed for a stadium in 2014, but state lawmakers held up the proposal. The club is using its attendance record at its current home, the Michael Carroll Stadium located on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, to tout its case. All 14 NASL games in its first season sold out, with league-leading average attendance, just under 11,000.
“I think we demonstrated there’s a need and a void in the market by selling out every game we had,” said Wilt. “These same fans will be the ones who build this stadium because it’s paid for completely by those who attend stadium events. If you don’t go, you won’t pay. It’s that simple.”
Including NASL games, the stadium, which is anticipated to open in 2017, is expected to host at least 50 events annually, of which 10% of all ticket revenue would fund construction costs. “It’s going to be a jewel for downtown Indianapolis that will be an economic driver,” added Wilt.
More information about the project can be found at www.stadiumforindiana.com
