GREENWOOD, Ind. — Greenwood residents packed city council chambers to voice opinions on both sides of the proposed iceplex for their city.
Owners of the Indy Fuel, Jim and Sean Hallett, have proposed a $20 million, 115,000-square-foot facility which will include two ice rinks, two turf fields that can be converted to ice rinks, training facilities, a pro shop and restaurant. The proposed location for the facility is in Freedom Park, off of Stop 18 Road.
Sean Hallett and city of Greenwood project manager, Keven Steinmetz, talked about the benefits of the facility and long-term goals.
The crowd was evenly split, for and against the project. Those in opposition are against the location, not the concept. A resident of nearby Brighton Estates, Heather Garrett, believes that a facility that will draw an estimated 800,000 visitors per year and should therefore be closer to hotels and major roadways. She also questioned the viability of tax abatements for the project, because the area of Freedom Park would have to be declared unsuitable for other economic activity.
Mayor Mark Myers explained the infrastructure improvements that were completed during construction of the aquatic park will handle the projected traffic volume.
The city is working on final details that include 60-year, $1-per-month lease in exchange for the investment in the property.
