FISHERS, Ind. — For more than a decade, the city of Fishers has seen significant growth, from the Nickle Plate Trail to new apartments and a new city hall now under construction.
The city's newest initiative involves construction of a 105,000-square-foot community center.
The design was based on input from about 3,500 Fishers residents.
"Based on that feedback, plans started to be made, ideas started to be discussed, and that kind of brings us to today," said Jake Reardon-McSoley, director of recreation and wellness with the city of Fishers.
The Fishers Community Center at Johnson Farms will be located on Hoosier Road, near 121st Street.
Art Johnson is the owner of Johnson Farms.
"My family has been part of this community for generations, and I am excited to be a part of Fishers' legacy and have our land serve as a central spot in the community for gathering and recreation for years to come," Johnson said in a release from the city.
Mayor Scott Fadness has been communicating with Johnson since 2021.
"For the last couple of years now, they've had conversations about what this could look like, what part of the property made sense. It's an 80-acre parcel. We never had an intention for the entire parcel but thought a part of that would make a lot of sense for this community center," Reardon-McSoley said.
Amenities will include:
- A 5,300-square-foot indoor playground and an aquatics facility with a lap pool and zero-depth entry warm water pool with a waterslide and play features
- An 18,600-square-foot gymnasium with three basketball courts, which can also be converted into volleyball and pickleball courts
- A 2-acre dog park
- Clinical rooms and offices for the Fishers Health Department
- Childcare facility
- Multipurpose rooms
- Café
The second level will have a fitness and wellness center, including a spin studio and group exercise rooms, along with an indoor track for walking and running.
A roof terrace to host outdoor exercise and gatherings is planned for future phases.
Reardon-McSoley told 13News the indoor playground, indoor track and café will be free to all residents and non-residents. Membership fees have not yet been discussed. The center will be paid for through city-issued bonds, and Fishers residents won't see an increases in taxes.
"Fishers residents are not going to pay any more. This is just an added value and quality of life impact," Reardon-McSoley said.
Leaders also say the center won't take away from other fitness providers.
"The west side of Fishers does have quite a few providers, not nearly as many of the east side," Reardon-McSoley said. "Our whole drive for this has been to compliment and not compete."
The project resolution will be presented to the Fishers Finance Committee on June 14 and the Fishers City Council on June 19 for approval.