Track stadium in Indy slated to be demolished

This track stadium was marginal from day 1. The city itself is not what one would call a track town.

The big vision if Mr. Logan has one would be to get the hell out of there. Get to a city that has media attention , a greater pool of talent for staff , a bigger pool of local and national sponsors , better weather and a chance to either build or be a part of world class venue.

Pushing the curtains apart, it appears the only thing standing between demolition and not is money, a great deal of money for renovations, upkeep, etc. Both facilities are on IUPUI property and the school doesn't even have a track team. You've got to believe there are some that wondered when it might come to this.

The Great Dougie wants to tear down the L.A. Sports Arena and build an IAAF stadium next to the Coliseum. The Great Dougie built that world class soccer stadium in Carson while he was CEO of MLS.

As an Indy local, I am absolutely sick about this. But I reluctantly also realize that Track and Field is far, far, from Center Ring in Indianapolis. Stop 1000 people at Castleton Square Mall and ask them about it. 99.44 % of them won't even know we HAVE a T&F Stadium.

Same old story. T/F stadiums in cities with a major international airport are a rare find these days. There is no IAAF Regulation venue next to a major International airport in the USA that I can think of, except maybe Husky stadium.

The stadium is not marginal. It is a nice facility, which has a well respected, and fast track. Unless something has changed lately, it still holds a WR too.

Indy does a great job hosting USATF championships, as well as tons of other huge events. The downtown is set up perfectly for large evnets with venues, hotels, restaurants, etc. all centrally located, and within walking distance. There is a reason that the NCAA loves to have the Final Four there.

To say that Indy isn't a track town isn't fair, and I'll ask you to name another town besides Eugene & Palo Alto that are track towns. I'm also pretty sure that the USATF hires the best in the country, and not just from the Indy area. Did I mention that their neighbors are the NCAA? I bet that relationship really sucks. I'm sure that someday they'll be able to get a bigger sponsor than that podunk little Nike company too.

Just beacuase you aren't happy with the city, doesn't mean that it's a bad place.

This hurts. What a waste of such a great and historic venue. How frustrating that neither the ICVA nor USATF were consulted in the decision-making process. I will be SO sad to see it go.

"Carroll Stadium hosted the 2006 and 2007 U.S. National Championships, which combined had a $10 million economic impact according to the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association." -Indianapolis Business Journal

HUGE LOSS FOR INDY.

How ironic. This action that IUPUI views as necessary to campus improvement, will actually hurt the city of Indianapolis. One could say that the "amateur sports capital" push in the 80's that put Indy on the map has significantly helped put IUPUI in the successful position they are in today.

The reason the Final Four is in Indy is because that was part of the deal the city made with the NCAA when they leased the land for $1. To attract the NCAA to Indy, the city had to give a deal they couldn't refuse. That was done by offering a prime location in the heart of Indy. For Indy to actually benefit from the NCAA, they had written in the contract that a Final Four (men & women) would be contested there every years years. So, it rotates from men then women in Indy every four years.

The track is an amazing track! Great location in a decent city and has a lot of resources available in regards to airports, hotels, restaurants, and other luxuries.

The city cannot put on a great track event as the two times I attended the USA Champs, there were MANY seats empty and I did not see this in Eugene.

aren't most of iupui's students commuters? why would they need a grocery store etc. in that area. sounds like they sold out to me. nothing like the end of the largest mini marathon running past the grocery store! the setup with these venues and downtown was/is awesome. indy can host almost anything and people can still be downtown. if the tennis courts go as well... does that mean german park (or whatever) goes too? if so... that's a ton more money lost as well. seems like a retarded thing to do to me. the city should jump in and do something.

and there are more teams that use that stadium as well. i think the soccor team does or field hockey. as well as numerous track meets every year hosted by butler or whatnot. and they don't get the track use for free. is state meet weekend held there any more? or is that permanantly moved to bloomington now? hmmm. i'm not too happy about it, but i guess it's a money issue. i hope this will help spur some new sports park development in the near future by the city. someone call bart!

Same ole same ole wrote:

Same old story. T/F stadiums in cities with a major international airport are a rare find these days. There is no IAAF Regulation venue next to a major International airport in the USA that I can think of, except maybe Husky stadium.

Ichan Stadium, home of the Reebok GP, is in New York City and is within 35 minutes of three major airports. It is an IAAF class I facility, one of only two in North America.

Your first sentence is the most wrong thing I have read on here in a long time, congrats for that by the way. I ran quite a bit on that track and it was one of the best surfaces I ever ran on. Everyone that ran on it loved it. It was the farthest thing from marginal.As for the city not being a track town, Seriously? Media attention for Track and Field, really? I guess you only want to have decent track venues in about 3 or 4 cities. Please name "track towns". You aren't going to be able to name many.

Demo now wrote:

This track stadium was marginal from day 1. The city itself is not what one would call a track town.

The big vision if Mr. Logan has one would be to get the hell out of there. Get to a city that has media attention , a greater pool of talent for staff , a bigger pool of local and national sponsors , better weather and a chance to either build or be a part of world class venue.

This idea borders on the insane without a proposal to replace all the facilities somewhere close by. One of the beauties of downtown Indy is the way everything is literally in walking distance. Indy is the perfect city to be the central hub of all amatuer sports. They should be looking for ways to increase the size and scope of facilities for everything from aquatics and archery to the x-games...especially with that amazing new airport which just opened. The hotel and restaurant operators in downtown should be screaming mad about anything that will diminish the number of athletic championships to be held in their fair city!!! With the NCAA and the National High School sports headquarters both in Indy, perhaps some leadership will arise to thwart this insanity.

Sgt Friday wrote:This idea borders on the insane without a proposal to replace all the facilities somewhere close by. One of the beauties of downtown Indy is the way everything is literally in walking distance. Indy is the perfect city to be the central hub of all amatuer sports.

I could not agree more. I've spent many days watching some great meets at that track. The entrance is one of the best at any track (IMHO) as you come through the trees into the venue of stands and track. Always loved going there as I knew I would be viewing great athletes and races.

Same with the Dome. Sad to see that come down last Sat.

I guess the question is why should iupui continue to maintain the track that benifits primarily restaurants and hotels. I know they rent the track to Butler and others to host meets, but apparently that does generate as much as the land is worth. And a far as big meets, what is that 1 week, once every 4 or 5 years.

I don't see the City taking it over, they already have the velodrome sitting out there doing not much. And it is not on prime real estate.

I guess this also ends Hargers cross country course behind the track along the river.

ptboss wrote:I guess this also ends Hargers cross country course behind the track along the river.

But there will always be the 'Kathy Olmby Bridge'.

Always think of her when at the stadium and seeing the bridge.

Maine Mt. wrote:

ptboss wrote:I guess this also ends Hargers cross country course behind the track along the river.

But there will always be the 'Kathy Olmby Bridge'.

Always think of her when at the stadium and seeing the bridge.

It was Ornsby. I was at that race, and was looking at the pack through binoculars. When the runners went into the far turn, I put down the glasses and noticed that there was one less runner in the pack. None of my friends had noticed. We found out what happend the next morning while at breakfast.

Isn't Logan moving USATF HQ to Los Angeles, the undisputed Track and Field Capital of the World ? We need to be on prime time television to be considered for serious sponsors and advertisers.

Moving wrote:

We need to be on prime time television to be considered for serious sponsors and advertisers.

I agree. How do you think poker became popular? It was on tv(not necessarily primetime)and people didn't really care about it at first. And then ESPN kept shoving it down our throats and its popularity grew. Leave it on tv long enough and people start paying attention and following closely...

Maybe or maybe not , maybe you should take a look back at the facility. I have never heard mentioned from international or domestic athletes , coaches and or federations that this facility would be picked as one of the favorites.The track surface is hard , so its fast , not exceptional. The statement read "stadium" meaning facility and the track.In another e-mail here in the thread it was mentioned " amateur sports capital" . that is indeed what we need to get beyond. Im sure you attended the trials in Eugene. The new standard for hosting a national/world class track event was set. Mr. Logan will have to think bigger , how will the sport grow itself in a place that is more vibrant , supportive and media savvy.You are correct the "track cities" list is short . Im suggesting moving USATF to one of those cities possibly or a city with a bigger base of media support more available money for developing a facility and a local interested public.Yes it would be nice to let this facility to stand , loosing tracks is not a good thing. Thinking bigger , smarter and for the health of the sport Indy is not the solution.