Wellness Center's Fate to be Determined

Ray Rice

Photo by Linda Karn

(posted June 16)

The June 12 Indy Parks public meeting ended with no direct answers to the public except to start looking on www.indyparks.org as to whether or not a wellness facility will be built at 56th Street and Reed Road.

A vocal sign-carrying crowd filled the Pike High School Cafeteria to show Indy Parks Resource Development Donald Colvin and his staff that they were fighting the plans to change the open space area into a "business enterprise."

The crowd scrutinized Colvin's presentation. At one point, a remonstrator said he was selling the project. Colvin apologized if his presentation came across "as selling" saying that Indy Parks is "neutral."

The crowd urged Paul Smith of Indy Parks to read every question and comment card submitted. They would not accept his answer that some were repetitious questions. Smith's frustration was apparent with the crowd's demand to read all the submitted comments and questions. At one point, he said this comment has been said for the "fourth time."

The audience's eruptive attitude may have stonewalled the project from entering into its second phase, design details. Colvin did not actually say the idea would be nixed, but that he would have a discussion with his boss about the six neighborhood associations opposed to the proposal. He did not say when the answer would be posted on the website due to staff vacations that could slow the process.

He retracted his promise to send petitions to the association presidents to get signatures in the neighborhoods.

Thomas Geisse, representing the John F. and Mary A. Geisse Foundation, said the "wellness center" is one of the phases of the Mary & John Geisse Soccer Complex and that it would be funded by private donations. The proposed $2 million 20,000 square foot facility would be donated to Indy Parks. Indy Parks and the Pike Youth Soccer Club formed a partnership in 2005 to develop the complex with 14 adult soccer fields. PYSC offers soccer to children ranging from four years old to 18. No agreement has been reached between the two entities.

Although Geisse said the soccer club's membership is about 10,000, there were no signs of an organized proponent talking up the project at the meeting. The opposition dominated the meeting. Geisse did not express disappointment but said that maybe the timing was not right for the facility to be built. The initial concept called for restrooms, storage and concessions, but Geisse contended it is easier to get donations for a wellness center than for a concession and restroom.

Ray Rice, a Reed Road resident, told Geisse he appreciated the improvements that the club has made to the area, but he was against the facility. Rice said he lives in a designated historic home that was built in 1862.

Jeff Miller, HOA president of Eagle Creek Woods, was disappointed in the top down process where government controls public process that disengages the taxpayer. He said this was the first public meeting concerning Eagle Creek that Indy Parks has conducted in the neighborhood since he moved in 18 years ago. Miller contended that once Indy Parks forms these partnerships, the taxpayers become an afterthought in the process.

Miller disagreed with the proposed center and said that agreements were made in 2003 to keep the area an open soccer field with seasonal uses. The plan now calls for a year-round use. Miller claimed the PYSC's interest is an athletic agenda, and not adhering to the open space legacy.

Miller questioned the park's ability to take on the possibility of operating another facility during times of budget cuts. Indy Parks has not been able to pave parking lots due to budget cuts. He said in 2010 the city will really feel the pinch when the property tax caps kick in. Miller contends the project is farther along and wanted to see traffic and needs assessment studies.

Colvin told the audience that no design plans, traffic study or needs assessment have been made. it is just an idea they were looking at and seeking public comment on. He did say it had economic benefits to the township if soccer tournaments were held.

Todd Leyden of the  PYSC said the facility would be used more for indoor training than tournaments.

Greg Cunningham, HOA President of the Trees, said he recalled an earlier agreement that prohibited building structures. The agreement was intended to protect the integrity of the open space.

Janice McHenry, City County Councilor, said she has spent a lot of hours talking to residents. She said the project first started out as a little concession and restroom building and has now evolved into a 20,000 square foot indoor soccer facility "dubbed as wellness." She said that everybody who she has talked to opposes the idea. McHenry thinks the PYSC needs to form a partnership with the school to develop a program with the school's facilities.