The business of fitness is stronger than ever across both state and national metrics. According to the most recent data from Statista, a research and statistics outlet, revenue in the fitness industry is expected to show an annual growth rate of 6.4 percent market volume between now and 2022. Combine this with the notion that sports tourism is booming in Indiana, and one can clearly see why many organizations around the state are thinking about their long-range fitness infrastructure plans.
Numerous large-scale capital investments into new state-of-the-art fitness and athletic facilities are underway throughout the state, boasting not only health benefits but solid economic ones too. Take a look!
Two New YMCA Facilities Underway
$35 million – Southlake Family YMCA; Crown Point, IN
General Contractor: Tonn and Blank Construction, LLC
Architect: SJCF Architecture
$28 million – Lafayette Family YMCA; Lafayette, IN
General Contractor: Tecton Construction Management Inc.
Architect: KJG Architecture, Inc.
The YMCA organization has two very large projects currently taking shape in Indiana, one in Crown Point and one in Lafayette, that total over $63 million in capital investments.
The Southlake Family YMCA broke ground on the upcoming $35 million Dean and Barbara White Southlake YMCA in autumn of 2017. The facility was named for the White family after the couple provided a $21 million-dollar gift that kickstarted the project. Local officials have referred to plans for the new facility as being that of a “community changing” project due to the host of amenities it’s going to feature.
For starters, the new building will have three different pools: a six-lane indoor pool, a zero-entry indoor pool with water slides and other features, and an outdoor leisure pool. If that wasn’t enough, the building will also have two gymnasiums, a large running track, six program studios for various activities, a gymnastics center, a comprehensive wellness studio, and much more. The list of programs that will be possible in the new building is far too long to list here. The project is expected to be completed by December of 2018.
The Lafayette Family YMCA broke ground on its new $28 million project last spring. It will be known as the Franciscan YMCA because of the wellness amenities that are planned to be incorporated into the location. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health will have medical office space for four Franciscan Physician Network primary care doctors, a sports medicine physician, and a wide variety of therapy services. As part of the agreement, Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health will provide physical and occupational therapy services on site.
The new 116,000-square-foot facility will double the YMCA’s existing footprint in Lafayette and will also feature an array of health and fitness elements such as two swimming pools, outdoor basketball courts and soccer fields, a learning kitchen, and much more.
Intersection Connection, which is a community-focused organization based in the adjacently-located Lafayette Ivy Tech Community College branch, is serving as a joint collaborator with the new project. Numerous other organizations came together to provide funding for the new building, including IU Health, the City of Lafayette, North Central Health Services, Old National Bank, Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc., Tippecanoe County, Unity Healthcare, Wabash National Corp., and several others.
Fitness and Aquatics Center Coming to Elkhart
$65 Million – Elkhart Aquatics Center; Elkhart, IN
General contractor: Skillman Corporation
Architect: Dan Cripe, Cripe Design, LLC
The $65 million Elkhart aquatics center project is much more than just a single facility. When it’s complete, it’s going to be a multi-faceted complex that will incorporate a large aquatics facility, a fitness center, and a community center under one roof. In addition to all of that, it’s poised to generate a massive economic impact year after year.
Beacon Health System, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, and the Elkhart Community School system are all working together to develop programming and long-term plans for the center. A $10 million endowment from the Elkhart Health Fitness Aquatics and Community Center will annually contribute $500,000 towards the operations of the Aquatics Center, thereby ensuring the center’s success and sustainability.
The 170,000 square foot facility will include: a state-of-the-art Beacon Health and Fitness Center that will focus on wellness and medical solutions; a first-class regional aquatics center available to the public, Elkhart high school programs, and regional competitive events; and a community center with flexible meeting space, a gymnasium, and learning kitchen for nutritional classes.
The 66-meter by 25-meter competition swimming pool is expected to be a national draw for revenue inbound to Elkhart. Its natatorium will seat 1,200 spectators. Regional officials have estimated the new facility could produce an economic impact on the local area of $4.72 million a year.
Additionally, the building will also have a 25-yard fitness pool, a therapeutic pool, wet classroom, dry training space, an additional gymnasium, a large community atrium, multi-purpose rooms, and much more.
Greenwood Gets a Boost with Sports and Entertainment Complex
$40 Million – Greenwood Sportsplex; Greenwood, IN
Developers: Indiana Ice Arenas LLC and Gershman Partners
Architect: Andrus Architecture
Planning and negotiations are moving forward and taking shape for the proposed $40 million Greenwood Sportsplex being brought to life by the owners of Indy Fuel hockey team, Indiana Ice Arenas LLC. Working with Gershman Partners on the project, Indiana Ice Arenas has detailed plans to develop 60 acres of land that is situated along Interstate 65 in Greenwood.
The first phase of the project calls for the establishment of the anchor point for the entire campus overall, the $25 million, 175,000-square-foot Greenwood Sportsplex. Its design includes two ice rinks, two convertible turf fields that can be switched into ice rinks as needed, five combination basketball/volleyball courts, a fitness center, a pro shop, and more. Funding for the $25 million cost is coming via private investment.
Later, the second phase of the project will involve establishing entertainment, dining, and hospitality facilities to the campus. This will be a $15 million private investment and will feature a 54,000-square-foot theatre space by Xscape Theaters and a 49,000-square-foot entertainment area by Main Event Entertainment. Additionally, plans are in place to establish a 200-room hotel at the site and additional dining and retail space.
The Greenwood Redevelopment Commission has extended several different incentives to the partnership in support of the project. They include up to $3.7 million for construction of site improvements, up to $1.8 million for off-site infrastructure improvements on adjacent roadways, and reimbursement of up to $3 million for capital improvements payable over 10 years.
Those Are Some Healthy Investments
A big return on these healthy investments is expected for both their developers and the communities they’re located within, particularly with the infusion they’ll bring to the surrounding areas as things like major competitions take place. There’s also, of course, the added benefit of new fitness and wellness options for Indiana citizens too and plenty of future fun times to be had.