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Resident group asks Vigo County to allow address, partnership to start fundraising for West Eagle Sports Complex
Summary
A resident speaker told the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board the West Eagle Sports Complex organizers have identified grant and funding routes and asked the board to endorse a partnership and provide an address so they can begin formal fundraising while state floodway approval is pending.
A resident representative asked the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board on May 27 to authorize a formal partnership statement and provide an address so organizers can begin fundraising for a proposed West Eagle Sports Complex on the county’s west side.
"Hello, I'm Melissa and we're here representing hopefully the new outlet for the youth of Western County West Complex," Melissa said, describing nearly a year of research and outreach and saying the group has found specific grants and funding routes they believe they can secure. She asked the board to include a partnership reference in a resolution so grantors will accept an address tied to the project.
Melissa said the group understands the site is in a floodway and that state approval will be needed before construction. She told the board that Banning Engineering has prepared a package and the group hopes the state review will be quicker than the 18 months some have suggested, but she acknowledged the timeline is uncertain.
Melissa also said the organizers plan for the complex to host multiple sports and operate on program revenue, sponsorships and donations rather than placing operational responsibility on the county. "It will not default back onto the county for that operations," she said, adding that the group would return funds if the project cannot move forward.
Board members asked logistical questions about the floodway and master-plan fit. A staff member said Rivercape is expected to help with a park master plan for Biconia Park and that the complex could potentially fit into future planning, but that no master plan determination had been made.
The board did not take formal action on the request during the meeting; staff circulated a draft resolution through Terry Modis for board review, according to meeting remarks. The organizers requested that the board consider a formal statement enabling fundraising while state floodway review remains pending.
The board's next steps on the request were not specified in the meeting record.
