Study outlines need for aquatic, sports facilities in Vigo County
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The Vigo County Capital Improvement Board on Wednesday released the results of a feasibility study for a potential Sports & Aquatic Center in Terre Haute. The study outlined a three-phase plan to add several aquatic and sports facilities over a five-year period.
The study was conducted by Brownsburg-based Pros Consulting Inc., Williams Architects in Illinois, and Indianapolis-based Context Design, in conjunction with the CIB.
It identified three priorities designed to increase recreational access for residents as well as tourism opportunities for visitors, particularly in the area of youth sports.
The first recommended priority is to invest in an aquatics center that would involve upgrading and enhancing the existing Deming Park Pool, which is operated by the city of Terre Haute. Those upgrades would include new amenities at the main pool, as well as the addition of a lazy river.
The aquatics center, which would primarily serve residents, would have an estimated cost of between $6.9-$7.7 million.
The CIB said future opportunities could include seeking a public-private partnership to develop an indoor aquatic center as well.
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
The second recommended priority is to develop a multi-use community recreation fieldhouse. The facility, which would cost between $70-$78 million, would include multiple basketball and volleyball courts, turf fields for various sports such as soccer, as well as an elevated running track, fitness center, and indoor play area.
Officials said the fieldhouse could serve as a regional draw for large tournaments, which could generate “significant economic impact and direct spending” in addition to supporting local residents and sports leagues.
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
The third and final recommended priority is the development of an outdoor sports complex. Designs for the complex include six soccer fields, eight baseball and softball diamonds, as well as tennis and basketball courts.
Like the fieldhouse, the study says the outdoor complex would be a regional draw for tournaments, while also serving “local sports needs through unique ‘Big League’ experiences.”
The complex would cost between $70-80 million, according to the study.
Potential sites for the indoor fieldhouse and outdoor complex were not identified, but officials said they would prefer to have them on the same property.
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
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(rendering courtesy of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board)
The study said funding for all three priorities could come from a variety of potential sources, including corporate sponsors, naming rights and strategic partnerships, capital funding sources, user fees, state and foundation-type grants, and taxes and franchise/licenses.
The CIB specifically said the projects are likely to appear in the region’s application for the second iteration of the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI 2.0.
Phil Parnin, associate principal with Pros Consulting, told the CIB it will take an exceptional group effort to complete all three projects.
“Looking into the future, we see all areas of funding will be needed to accomplish this multi-phase approach; it will be crucial to its success,” Parnin said. “Collaborators such as higher education, K-12, nonprofit sports organizations, health and wellness, and everything in between need to be a part of the implementation strategy in order to accomplish all of the outcomes that the CIB has asked for us to look at.”
Parnin said the next steps will include an in-depth funding discussion, talks of any changes or additions to the recommendations, as well as conversations of partnerships. Then, the group will finalize the feasibility study and create an executive summary to provide the CIB.
Work could begin in phases as early as 2024. The first phase would be the aquatics center, followed by the fieldhouse and then the outdoor sports complex. The CIB said the entire process is expected to be fully completed in 2029.
You can view the full presentation to the CIB in the video below: