Saturday, June 26, 2010

Ballard Wants To Build Another Sports Facility







Downtown Indy said...

Interesting timing on this piece, Gary. I was biking along the backside of the Track and Field facility earlier today and was apalled at its condition.

The light standards have their paint peeled off and are rusting. Weeds are growing inside the fence and the fence itself is being taken over by vines and the volunteer shrubs. The satellite dishes look pretty beat, too.

We see this time and again. Huge sums of money are doled out for spiffy new construction and then there doesn't seem to be money to maintain them. They fall into disrepair then we start hearing about the next great idea and how it will improve teh city's image, etc, etc.

Mom and Dad had a rule - they wouldn't buy me toys if I didn't take care of them. Apparently that lesson never was taught to our city 'leaders.'

Paul K. Ogden said...


Letting buildings fall into disrepair is an old political stunt. It's used to convince people that they need new facilities. It's like with the Guion Creek Elementary school. They didn't maintain it, didn't fix or repair the roof when it started , then they were able to sell to naive folks that the building was falling down and needed to be replaced. If they would have just maintained the building this wouldn't have been an issue.

Jon said...

Let's see we have the Indianapolis Natatorium, the Indianapolis Tennis Center and the old Bush Fields. All were paid for by the taxpayers and all are in disrepair and need to be demolished. Apparently our civic leaders only care about construction companies, architects and bonding companies.

interestedparty said...

My main concern about this idea is centralizing these facilities instead of spreading them out into various areas so many neighborhoods could have a recreational amenity, since it's being touted as for the "little" people as well as the elite.

On the other hand, would this move help that poor neighborhood that can't use its park because of a sport (soccer?) league taking it over on a rental basis?

All those who don't play sports will yell, of course, but I wonder if you can be heard from your couches?

Obese Indiana needs more sports venues for the average person, child and adult.

Jon Easter said...

While I think this is a good idea on paper, I don't know how it can be paid for when we have more pressing needs. Doesn't it kind of seem to you that after three years of relatively nothing, Ballard's trying to make everybody forget everything by cramming in a bunch of stuff before his run for re-election?