Irsay Says YMCA Part of Bigger Play
[Undated photo] Jim Irsay is owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay says a major donation to the CityWay YMCA is part of his ongoing commitment to "generating big-time business growth" downtown. He calls Lucas Oil Stadium "the best in the league, the best in the world," and says he wants to use it as a catalyst to attract further development. Irsay says he is looking at working with developers to potentially bring hotels with "additional Colts presence" to the area surrounding the stadium.
After Tuesday’s announcement unveiling the gift and the renaming of the facility to the Irsay Family YMCA, Irsay told Inside INdiana Business that downtown Indianapolis looks much different than it did when he came to town more than 30 years ago. He told reporters, "I don’t think Andrew Luck would be living downtown in ’84 if he came here, honestly."
Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Bart Peterson and YMCA of Greater Indianapolis CEO Eric Ellsworth also took part in Tuesday afternoon’s announcement.
The $24 million YMCA is in the CityWay development near the Eli Lilly campus and is the first full-service Y in downtown Indianapolis. It features swimming pools, basketball courts, an elevated running track and a green roof.