Developers will break ground this spring on a massive $98 million women's sports complex by Fair Oaks Farms in Newton County.
The goal is to kick off construction as soon as the ground warms on Marvella, which is billed as "the country's first dedicated sports and leadership complex for female athletes."
The 300,000-square-foot complex is named after the wife of U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, who sponsored the landmark Title IX civil rights law that gave equal opportunities for female student-athletes and paved the way for the growing popularity of women's sports. It's expected to have a major economic impact, creating 1,000 new jobs and drawing visitors for generations to come.
"At Marvella, we are not just building a sports facility; we are creating a transformative space that honors Marvella Bayh's legacy by providing unprecedented opportunities for young female athletes," Marvella CEO and Founder Glenn Tilley said. "Our vision is to develop not just athletic skills, but leadership, resilience and character that will empower women to excel in sports and beyond."
Marvella has started geotechnical and topographical surveys of the 100-acre site just off Interstate 65 near the popular agritourism attraction, which is between Chicago and Indianapolis.
It is targeting a groundbreaking ceremony in June, depending on the timing of the financing. The project is being financed with private equity, social impact investments, charitable funding and public funds, like $4.5 million in READI 2.0 grants from the state and another $4 million in tax credits from the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
"Marvella is dedicated to creating transformative experiences that go beyond athletic training," said Allison Barber, executive leader and chair of the Marvella Foundation. "By partnering with organizations like Sports Tech HQ and participating in events that celebrate women's athletic achievements at all levels from youth to professional sports, we're building a comprehensive ecosystem that supports female athletes' holistic development."
Phase one will build out a massive indoor sports and training facility. It will include 14 volleyball courts, 8 basketball courts and two high school regulation-sized indoor soccer fields.
Construction is expected to take about 15 to 16 months.
“It makes me so happy to see my mother, Marvella, being recognized for the important role she played alongside my father in helping to create Title IX,” former Indiana Governor and Senator Evan Bayh said. “After all these years, the founding of Marvella-The Girls Sports Leadership Experience campus, based here in our state, brings it full circle.”
The second phase of construction will include six multipurpose outdoor fields, four softball fields, parking lots, lighting and food service. The third phase will include seven more outdoor fields and could potentially include an area.
Run by a leadership team that includes broadcaster Suzy Kolber and WNBA Hall of Famer and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings, it will be promoted by partners like Billie Jean King Enterprises, the Sagamore Institute and the Jasper Newton Foundation.
"We are excited about the Marvella Project. This kind of project means to our communities that our girls will have access to a higher level of sports, leadership coaching, as well as desperately needed mental health support and wellness training," Jasper Newton Foundation Executive Director Brienne Hooker said. "The economic impact will be life-changing for our area."
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