Indiana Tech Withdraws Memorial Park Proposal

(Rendering courtesy of Indiana Tech)

Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne has withdrawn its proposal for new athletic facilities in Memorial Park. Under the proposal, the school would have invested $6.4 million to construct a new track & field facility, softball stadium and athletic training and office facility inside the park in partnership with the city.

The facilities would have been owned by the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation department and leased to Indiana Tech for university and public use. Our partners at WPTA-TV report the proposal had received backlash from residents, including veterans, who had expressed concern about how the project would change the nature of the park.

Indiana Tech President Arthur Snyder released the following statement regarding the decision to withdraw the proposal:

On behalf of everyone at Indiana Tech, thank you to the Parks Board, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation staff, Mayor Henry, and the many project supporters around our community for considering this proposal. Our intent from the start has been to create new facilities that would both serve our students – the next generation of talented young people who will help lead our city – and create new facilities within the park for the entire community to enjoy. While we believe our proposal would bring new, positive activity to Memorial Park, we have also heard a wide range of feedback on the project and want to be respectful of opposing viewpoints. With this in mind, we have withdrawn our proposal from consideration.

Indiana Tech unveiled plans for the athletic complex last month, saying it had the potential to attract local and national sporting events. The university says it will continue to work to identify potential locations for its softball and track and field facilities.