Indiana Tech Plans Athletics Facility on Former Golf Course

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Copyright 2017 Journal - Gazette Oct 26, 2017

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

 

Months after withdrawing plans to bring new athletics facilities to Memorial Park, Indiana Tech announced Wednesday it now plans to build those amenities on a south-side golf course.

The university has entered into an option-to-purchase agreement with Sycamore Inc. for the Donald Ross Golf Club, 7102 S. Calhoun St. It expects to complete the purchase in early 2018, a news release said.

Indiana Tech is not disclosing the purchase price.

Sycamore Inc. appears to own seven parcels classified as a golf course or country club at the Donald Ross address or in the immediate area, according to property records from the Allen County assessor's office. The seven parcels' total assessed value, as of 2016, is $174,700, according to the records.

Donald Ross Golf Club, formerly known as Fairview Golf Course, declined to comment.

Indiana Tech's president said the university is excited about the possibilities created by repurposing the golf course.

"It seems like both a great fit for the needs of our student-athletes, and a positive use of the property for the entire community," Karl Einolf said in a statement.

A softball stadium and track and field complex are being eyed for the golf course's back nine, which is north of Tillman Road and east of Calhoun Street, the release said. It noted the 55-acre parcel would allow for future growth.

The front nine, which is west of Calhoun Street, would remain unchanged and be used as a nine-hole course open to the public, the release said.

Indiana Tech also envisions the course as a practice facility for its golf teams and as an experiential learning opportunity for students who would manage and operate it, the release said.

Construction could start as early as summer 2018, likely with the softball stadium, the release said.

The university doesn't foresee a problem having an off-siteathletics facility about 10 minutes away, spokesman Brian Engelhart said.

Some teams already use such sites, he added. The softball team, for example, will return to Havenhurst Park in New Haven for home games next spring.

Less fanfare accompanied Wednesday's announcement compared with Indiana Tech's spring news conference outlining plans to invest $6.4 million in Memorial Park.

That proposal - which included a new track and field facility, a softball stadium and an athletic training and office facility - met staunch opposition from veterans and their descendants, prompting Indiana Tech to withdraw the plans a month later.

 

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