Downtown Fever facility moving forward, sporting exterior design changes
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A rendering of the planned Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center at the northeast corner of Maryland and Pennsylvania streets. (Image courtesy of Indiana Fever)
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A rendering of the planned Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center at the northeast corner of Maryland and Pennsylvania streets. (Image courtesy of Indiana Fever)
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A rendered elevation of the north side of the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center. (Image courtesy of the Indiana Fever)
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A rendered elevation of the east side of the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center. (Image courtesy of the Indiana Fever)
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A rendered elevation of the south side of the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center. (Image courtesy of the Indiana Fever)
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A rendered elevation of the west side of the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center. (Image courtesy of the Indiana Fever)
Pacers Sports and Entertainment is continuing to hone its plans for the $78 million practice facility for the Indiana Fever that it plans to start building later this summer.
The project is planned for the northeast corner of Maryland and Delaware streets, on the western portion of the former Marion County Jail property that demolition crews are continuing to clear.
Since the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center was first announced in January, PS&E has been working with architectural firm Populous to make minor updates to the design of the three-story, 108,000-square foot facility.
While the southwest corner of the building initially had a rounded-off design, the modified plans call for the corner to be more angular in nature. The building will now also feature a 22-space parking garage for Fever personnel on the first level with an entrance from Maryland Street. A mural is also expected to be placed along the northern wall of the building, facing the Julia Carson Transit Center.
Additionally, the new renderings show blade signs for a “partner,” or sponsor of the facility. The signs would be on the northwest and southeast corners and would likely be tied to naming rights for the property.
However, the scope of the facility has not changed, said Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
It is still expected to feature two regulation-size basketball courts, a full-service kitchen, a private outdoor courtyard and a spa-style retreat space with amenities including infrared light therapy, sauna, steam, heat studios, a float tank and multiple hydrotherapy pools. It will also offer yoga and Pilates areas, a strength and conditioning space and mental health amenities.
“I would say the biggest change from the exterior perspective is probably the front corner. … Now it’s squared off, and that just is more functional on the inside,” Raines said. “The footprint hasn’t changed, it’s pretty close to what we originally announced. And now, as any project does, we’re digging into the details.”
The project is being developed through an interlocal agreement between PS&E, the city of Indianapolis and the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County.
A groundbreaking date for the facility has not been finalized.
The organization is also continuing to work on plans for public-facing elements of the facility, including a team store and community spaces. The facility is expected to feature a small Hall of Fame area showcasing former Fever players and executives, as well.
”We knew we made the right call when we started working on this behind the scenes a year ago,” she said. “This is absolutely the direction that women’s professional sports are headed.”
Exterior designs for the project are currently making their way through the city approval process. They were recommended for approval by the Marion County Regional Center Hearing Examiner on May 15 and are expected to be considered by the city’s Metropolitan Development Commission on June 4.