Renderings: $4.7M rugby park near Fountain Square

January 15, 2013
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A local youth rugby group plans to build a $4.7 million rugby complex on the former home of the Twin Aire drive-in near Fountain square. Indiana Youth Rugby has raised $1.2 million and plans to break ground once it raises another $500,000. Citizens Energy donated the 26-acre parcel along Keystone Avenue south of English Avenue. Citizens hopes the rugby project helps spark redevelopment on a former coke-plant property it is cleaning up next door. Terra Site Development is handling design and construction. Click on either rendering for a larger version:

Indy RugbyIndy Rugby

Read more about the project here. What do you think?

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  • April fools!
    What?January 15, 2013 2:16 PM
    I must be reading this wrong. For a second I thought you said that they were building a rugby complex in the hood near Fountain Square. Wait--this isn't a joke??
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    • Fountain Square's Great!!
      Fountain Square FanJanuary 15, 2013 2:43 PM
      Why not Fountain Square? That neighborhood is starting to really take shape. Lots of young people moving in...money being pumped into bars and restaurants down there...seems like the perfect time to jump. You should hang out down there "April Fools."
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    • wonderful
      kateJanuary 15, 2013 3:28 PM
      This is the most wonderful news!! Great for the fountain square community!
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    • Fools agreed
      BenJanuary 15, 2013 4:33 PM
      I have only been to Fountain Square a couple of times and it does seem like the next neighborhood to take off and be the place to go for food, drinks, shopping etc. However, you go a block or two in any direction from there and it turns real quick into a completely different neighborhood. Not sure a rugby park will have the support in this area.
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    • IF
      JonJanuary 15, 2013 5:22 PM
      If you build it they will come.
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    • Fountain Square
      JedJanuary 15, 2013 10:36 PM
      Fixing up the Fountain Square area is like taking an ugly woman in for a very expensive makeover. Yeah, they can make her look better, but at the end of the day, they can only do so much.
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      • makeover
        J-MartJanuary 15, 2013 11:04 PM
        They said very similar things about downtown Indy not that long ago.
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      • why not?
        SeanJanuary 16, 2013 8:08 AM
        So people in long neglected neighborhoods should expect continued indifference from developers and the rest of the citizens? It may a financial risk but one that is welcomed.
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      • April Fool
        B-RadJanuary 16, 2013 9:07 AM
        God, everything has naysayers at every turn. I'm glad there are good people out there working hard to make my community (Fountain Square) better, while other people sit from the comfort of their computers and say how it isn't possible. That's been said about every single urban area in the country that has transformed itself. Fountain Square is no different, despite what the mouth breathing lords of nay say.
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      • lol
        MicahJanuary 16, 2013 9:39 AM
        To all of the naysayers. I know life is rough because change is rough. Getting away from your computer(or your vehicle) and out a little bit to witness Indy's transformation as a better community through developments like this may help you become...i don't know...a little less naive? Is this a bad development simply because it may be down the streets from some things 'less desirable'? Here's a game. It's called let's live in Indy. Think about where you live, and walk 5 blocks one way and 5 blocks the other (no driving allowed, SORRY). How desirable is that for you? Welcome to Indianapolis. Keep it real, people.
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      • SIGNAGE OVERSIGHT?
        fkgazaJanuary 16, 2013 1:47 PM
        The I65 northbound exit for Fountain Square is BEGGING for a fancy exit sign. Fountain Square is growing as a destination community for IUPUI students. It is becoming as lively as Mass Ave. It needs SIGNAGE off the highway making people turn off I65 and into the emerging area.
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      • Rugby Field
        JoyceJanuary 17, 2013 8:16 AM
        I'm not opposed to a rugby field, but I hope the EPA has cleared the ground for this purpose. I'd hate to have kids rolling around in dirt contaminated by the old Citizens Gas coke plant. Carcinogens, lead, etc.
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      • Is Indy Parks on Board?
        MickeyJanuary 17, 2013 1:02 PM
        Great project, great location (despite the negative Nancys who seem abundant here). This spot is right on the much-neglected and seldom used Pleasant Run Trail, and connects to Garfield Park, Christian Park and Ellenberger Park, as well as the Pleasant Run Parkway system. I hope this development will be the spark to encourage DPR to give a little more love to the trail that runs along it. It's a diamond in the rough.
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      • Great News
        JustinJanuary 17, 2013 1:14 PM
        Rugby is a great sport and this could bring in lots of money for local restaurants. It's not hard to get a tournament with 20-50 teams. Indy's central location would be a plus for this.
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      • Thrilled
        SabrinaJanuary 17, 2013 3:51 PM
        I don't live in Fountain Sq. In fact, I don't live in Indianapolis (I'm in Plainfield), but my family and I love driving into the city and spending a day. Downtown is awesome, Mass Ave is awesome. We recently discovered Fountain Sq by way of eating at Siam Square (and loving it). I am all for developing and improving any area that's on its way to becoming a destination. I am thrilled and excited for the folks who live in the Fountain Sq area. I think it will bring a lot of positive growth to the area. Indianapolis is a wonderful, thriving city and the reason is because of all the positive change. Keep moving forward. Can't wait to see the finished product.
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      • Indy Parks and Citizens Energy
        Tom MJanuary 18, 2013 8:21 AM
        Wow, it sounds great! I would also ask Citizens Energy to donate land around the Pleasant Run creek to Indy Parks, so they could continue the Pleasant Run Trail there.. it's not a bad trail to bike/walk, but it seems to quit there.
        Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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      1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

      2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

      3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

      4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

      5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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