County approves $1.09 million land purchase and $76,970 park study for Gable/Deaconess sports complex

Vanderburgh County Council voted July 10 to approve a $1,088,030 purchase of land adjacent to the Gable/Deaconess sports complex and to fund a $76,970 park study intended to guide future development at the site.

The vote followed a lengthy presentation by Alexis Bergram, identified in the meeting as the CVB executive director, who said the acquisition would protect expansion potential and that the park study is a necessary soft cost to identify where a cross-country course and other outdoor-tourism features could go. "We're not certainly purchasing this land without a plan," Bergram said, noting the study would produce recommendations on cross-country placement and other outdoor-tourism opportunities.

Council members pressed staff on topography and floodplain risk. A council member asked what elevation determines the 100-year floodplain; Bergram cited topographic figures from a prior map, saying the floodway in parts of the parcel is near 375–376 feet, while much of the land sits around 383 feet. He cautioned that some lower areas are 8–10 feet below the hundred-year flood elevation and said detailed surveying and planning would follow the study.

Supporters cited economic impact and the risk of losing chance buys. One council member recounted visiting the complex during a national tournament and described full hotels and parking, arguing the county had previously missed opportunities to buy adjacent land and that waiting could cost far more. Bergram estimated the cumulative economic impact of a series of events tied to local cross-country and sports tourism at roughly $2.5 million, describing the figure as derived from event counts, hotel room blocks and a tourism-impact formula used by Destinations International.

Opponents or hesitant members sought more technical detail before committing. Two council members abstained from the final roll call. When the motion was called, the roll call recorded: Council member Accorino — Yes; Council member Kiefer — Abstain; Council member Schettler — Abstain; Council member Dye — Yes; Council member Montresdell — Yes; President Hahn — Yes. The chair declared the motion approved (4 yes, 0 no, 2 abstain).

The council recorded that potential infrastructure connections, such as a vehicular bridge that had been discussed in prior planning, were not immediate elements of the purchase decision and would require separate future planning and expense estimates. Bergram said the parcel would not be acquired without a plan and emphasized the study is integral to the purchase.

Next steps described during the meeting include the funded study to determine precise siting options and further engineering or survey work to clarify floodplain impacts and access options before any major capital improvements are built.