NEXUS SPORTS PARK

Columbus North students discuss what the new facility PARK will bring to their sport and the community by Lydia Weed design by Abbi Lovins photo by Abby Grider

In 2018, talks of demolishing the Fair Oaks mall began. Now, four years later, the official Nexus Park sign is up and the first steps in demolishing the mall have taken place. What is now an eyesore will be a new sporting facility for the community. Along with a big fieldhouse, it will have healthcare areas, restaurants and space for special classes and events. It will also be used as a voting center for the upcoming primary elections in November.

Freshman Cole Finney plays football at North and club hockey, and he is excited to see what is coming for his sport.

“A football field would be cool, especially because there’s a lot of football in the community with PAL football, The Bears and the high schools and middle schools,” Finney said. “I was hoping there would be an ice rink since I play hockey, but I think that got shut down.

There are also going to put some classroom areas where teams and athletes can go and improve their skills.”

Nexus Park will also be home to many sports tournaments in the future.

“Obviously for a good tournament you need different areas to play,” Finney said.

“For hockey, if they got a second rink, they would be able to host tournaments and bring people to Columbus from all over, and I’m assuming they would be able to do the same for football with more facilities.”

Freshman Allison Kolhouse is excited to not have to travel so far for soccer tournaments and practices. “I’m most excited for a new space that we can play in. Right now, to get to our indoor facilities, we have to go all the way to Grand Park in Westfield, which is up by Indy,” Kolhouse said.

Hosting tournaments would benefit the community by bringing attention to youth sports and encouraging others to join.

“It will probably boost the girls playing,” Kolhouse said. “Right now, we don’t have a lot of girls in our program around my age, and it will improve the number of girls playing for the schools and clubs.”

NexusPark Fieldhouse contractor hired

Parks/Community Space constuction begins Columbus Regional Health will also have space for healthcare to enhance wellness in the community. CRH Public Relations Co4th Quarter ordinator Kelsey DeClue is looking forward 2022 to how Nexus Park will focus on wellness Fieldhouse and strengthening the community. constuction “Teens and youth in our area have the unique advantage of really seeing this place 3rd Quarter begins begin and evolve over the years to fit and 2023 reflect our amazing community,” DeClue

Parks/Community said. “Nexus Park will be a true community Space completed staple engineered to benefit residents and visitors of all ages from all walks of life with services, opportunities and 4th Quarter spaces focused on health, wellbeing Source: Nexus Park 2023 and recreation.” Fieldhouse completed The benefits of Nexus Park are sure to bring wellness and growth to our community. “Columbus is a very family friendly community that invests a lot into our youth and young people, especially when it comes to programming and development opportunities,” DeClue said. “Of course, a big focus with regards to the campus is on the 150,000 square foot field house and naturally, our high school athletes can expect to take pride in being a part of teams and programs that host competitions and tournaments on a local, regional and broader level.”