Press Release: Major Anchor Announced for Grand Park
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carrie Cason
Email: ccason@westfield.in.gov
Phone: 317-804-3004
Cell: 317-664-1840
September 29, 2011
MAJOR ANCHOR
ANNOUNCED FOR GRAND PARK
BRINGING ANNUAL
VISITORS TO OVER 500,000
WESTFIELD - IN, - Westfield Mayor Andy Cook announced
today that the City will partner with the Indiana Soccer Association with
respect to the Grand Park Sports Campus. Indiana Soccer intends to
relocate its state offices and all operations to Westfield's Grand Park.
Indiana Soccer has approximately 85,000 members state-wide including youth
players, adult players, coaches, referees and club volunteers. There are
over 130 local member clubs across the State of Indiana, dedicated to the
betterment of youth and our communities through soccer. With the addition
of this anchor, Grand Park is expected to attract over 500,000 people annually.
Grand Park is also expected to generate $3.5 million in surrounding area
shopping (annually), $4.8 million in meals purchased (annually), $2.2 million
in hotel revenue (annually) and in the first three years, produce 2300
jobs.
Indiana Soccer expects to host approximately 1800 teams annually, bringing in over 300,000 players and spectators to the park. Westfield Youth Sports (WYSI) and Westfield Youth Soccer (WYSA) are extremely supportive of this announcement. "This partnership between the City and Indiana Soccer gives the Westfield Youth Soccer (WYSA) an opportunity to share the facility with an entity that embraces the same values and vision for player and youth development," says Mark Anderson, Board President for WYSA. "This arrangement will bring greater financial stability to the project, allowing for more events and promoting soccer throughout the State," says Anderson. Dave Schmitz, Board President for Westfield Youth Sports said "this announcement is great for the City of Westfield and local youth sports organizations such as WYSI. Indiana Soccer Association's involvement will insure effective professional management of the fields and provide Westfield kids and adults with the opportunity to play a variety of sports on world-class fields."
GRAND PARK BACKGROUNDER:
The Grand Park Sports Campus is a planned 350-acre
development sure to become a family destination like no other. Grand Park
will feature a full-range of championship-level facilities including 26 outdoor
baseball and softball fields - turf and grass, 32 outdoor soccer, lacrosse,
football, rugby and field hockey fields -turf and grass, and an indoor
facility. The fields will be surrounded by dining, retail and
entertainment venues, all geared toward supporting and enhancing the family
sports atmosphere and experience. Anchors include Westfield
Youth Sports, Westfield Youth Soccer, Indiana Bulls and Indiana Soccer
Association.