WESTFIELD, Ind. — The City of Westfield has unveiled its master plan to expand the Grand Park Sports Campus, including the potential addition of a 10,000-seat stadium.
The Master Plan will focus on enhancing the existing campus to connect to the wider Westfield community through the possible introduction of a new stadium and an anchor at the south portion of the park intended for a four-sheet ice facility or a “sports-related headquarters.”
City officials said the 10,000 stadium will be located at the northwest corner of 186th Street and Grand Park Boulevard. The plan would look to add housing, offices and entertainment to an area of about 152 acres north and south of 186th Street.
Renderings of the project can be viewed below:
The plan also highlights the introduction of Champions Way, a park that will connect to Grand Park Lake. The park will feature different zones that offer a variety of recreational activities, including a miniature football field, Olympic-style podiums, play structures, splash pads, hammocks, swings and more.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a Ferris wheel and an urban beach at the southern portion of the lake, according to city officials. The lake and the Grand Park Village Lake would be connected via a canal system.
“When Grand Park was first envisioned, city officials predicted around 250,000 yearly visitors. Today, we’re welcoming over 5 million annual visits, and our goal is to develop an area where people want to stay between tournaments — or even extend their stay,” said Mayor Scott Willis. “This is also a tremendous opportunity to create a true destination for our residents, one where they feel a deeper connection to the park. That’s something we haven’t always seen, and we’re excited to change that.”
City officials added that the park’s current retention ponds will be reconfigured to serve as “urban-style canal walks,” as brand-new parking garages will be built in the southwest corner of the Grand Park Events Center to accommodate more visitors.
The release noted that the championship field and diamond would be relocated as development gets underway.
Phase 1 of the project will focus on constructing the parking garage and full-service hotel alongside apartments, retail stores and restaurants. This phase will also feature an overhaul of Indy Eleven’s soccer operations headquarters at Grand Park.
“Over the next six months, Keystone Group will continue working alongside city officials to refine the district’s design, budgets, and schedules, focusing on creating a walkable, active, connected urban environment,” the news release said.
“This plan represents a unique opportunity to create synergy between the thriving sports community at Grand Park and the growing business and residential areas in Westfield,” said Jenell Fairman, Westfield’s economic development director. “Currently, these two uses are somewhat separated, but with this plan, we envision a connected, dynamic space that will serve as a destination for residents, visitors, and sports fans. Grand Park District is poised to become a hub of activity, with something for everyone, all day long.”
The release said the developments will be partially funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to help pay for infrastructure, parking garages, roads, trails and public amenities.
Card and Associates has entered into a contract to acquire the land included in the Grand Park District south of 186th Street. The city signaled its intentions to rezone that land for the future development of the southern portion of the Grand Park Master Plan.
