The City of Westfield, Indiana

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. 

The relocation would occur upon the development of Grand Park, which is expected to have some field play in 2012 and full operations by 2013.  The agreement between the City of Westfield and the Indiana Soccer Association states that Indiana Soccer will assume the management and operations related to Grand Park's 32 sports fields for soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby and field hockey.  This will include all scheduling for our local clubs (WYSA, WYSI), maintenance and repair and a portion of the revenue related to those fields.  "This is an extraordinary partnership for the City of Westfield," says Westfield Mayor Andy Cook.  "Our announcement earlier this year of our partnership with the Indiana Bulls for baseball, along with this merger, adds a level of credibility to our project, increasing the economic development potential.   Indiana Soccer will bring a large number of visitors to Westfield, ultimately increasing the need for businesses immensely," says Cook.

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.