Indiana Sports Planning Guide 2024

2024

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INDIANA GUIDE

Site InSpections of Event-Ready Destinations

Indiana’s Aquatic Adventures Await

Whether You Are in the Water or Nearby, Indiana Is Home to a Myriad of Family-Friendly Activities www.SportsPlanningGuide.com

Deaconess Aquatic Center Photo courtesy of Team Indiana

INDIANA On behalf of Team Indiana and our statewide partners, I am excited to share with you why Indiana is the winning choice for your next event. Our state has been referred to as the birthplace of contemporary sport tourism, home to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and the Amateur Sports Capital of the World. We have hosted hundreds of youth, collegiate, Olympic national and international championships across the state, creating memorable moments for each.

Indiana communities are committed to being the best sports destinations in the country. Our venues span the spectrum from historic to state-of-the-art, so we can find the perfect space to fit your needs.

No matter where you go in Indiana, you’ll find consistent, top-notch service from our community members and partners. In addition to experienced professionals, we possess that one invaluable resource – dedicated volunteers who cater to the needs of every participant and fan.

Our state is centrally located, so traveling to Indiana is convenient and affordable. We are within a day’s drive for most of the country, and we have several regional and international airports for those who are farther or prefer to fly. Once you arrive in Indiana, you may be surprised to find the terrain varies greatly across the state, from the beaches along Lake Michigan in the north to the rolling hills in southern Indiana. You’ll discover vibrant cities and quaint towns, boasting plenty of attractions for you to enjoy once the event has concluded.

For more information on the wide variety of sports-friendly communities, please visit team-ind.org or contact me directly at 317-237-5020. We are eager to help you in the planning process and look forward to sharing our Hoosier Hospitality with you.

Scan to discover more of what Indiana offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

Sincerely, Rachel Frank, Manager, Statewide Initiatives and External Affairs

ON THE COVER: Indiana has some of the best swimming facilities in the country.

Photo courtesy of Team Indiana

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Dive into Fun: Indiana’s Aquatic Adventures Await

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Indiana’s Food and Beverage Scene is Second-to-None SITE INSPECTIONS 12

Terre Haute

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South Shore

INDIANA

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NCAA rowing at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis

17 LafayetteWest Lafayette 18 Hamilton County 20

Noble County

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Fort Wayne

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Evansville

26 Grand Park Sports Campus 28

Elkhart County

30 South Bend and Mishawaka 31

Kokomo

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Marquette Park features natural sand beaches, historic landmarks and more than 20 miles of paved hiking and biking trails.

Photos courtesy of Team Indiana

DIVE INTO FUN:

INDIANA’S AQUATIC ADVENTURES AWAIT

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Whether you are in the water or nearby, Indiana is home to a myriad of family-friendly activities • By Jason Paha

ndiana is famous for a litany of reasons, ranging from legendary basketball and auto racing to fabulous food options and charming covered bridges.

One of the more underrated elements of the Hoosier State, is how beloved it is for its water-based activities.

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Certainly, the college swimming scene is acclaimed as Indiana University has captured a slew of National Championships while the Purdue University Men’s swim team recently won the 2023 College Club Swimming National Championship. On the aquatic facility front, the Indiana University

Natatorium, on the IU Indianapolis campus, is perhaps the most legendary swimming arena in the country.

As impressive as Indiana is when it comes to competitive aquatic sports, its leisure-based water activities are perhaps even more remarkable. Indiana may not have a coastline, but it still

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

offers a variety of water-based activities the whole family will enjoy. Here are some of them:

AQUATIC CENTERS

Those seeking an aquatic center experience have plenty of choices as many cities in the state feature centers with pools, water slides and other attractions. One of the finer examples is the Monon Community Center in Carmel. Monon’s waterpark boasts a variety of exciting features, including a lazy river where you can float along the gentle current. There are also several water slides, including a thrilling drop slide and a twisting slide that provides a fun and fast-paced ride. Other excellent centers include the recently opened Deaconess Aquatic Center in Evansville, Clarksville Cove Family Aquatic Center in Clarksville, and the Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center.

BEACHES

Indiana’s beach scene is esteemed as it boasts several spectacular public beaches along Lake Michigan. The most famous is Indiana Dunes National Park, which is a stunning area located in northwestern Indiana. The park covers 15,000 acres of dunes, forests, wetlands, and beaches and is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species. The park was established as a national lakeshore in 1966 and was redesignated as a national park in 2019. It sports 15 miles of sandy beaches, which are popular for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. Visitors can also hike over 50 miles of trails that wind through the dunes and forests, offering beautiful views of the lake and surrounding landscape.

LAKES AND RIVERS

With hundreds of lakes and more than 35,000 miles of river, Indiana has an incredible number of areas that are excellent spots for kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, and even water skiing.With 10,750 acres of water surface, Monroe Lake near Bloomington is the largest lake that is entirely situated within the state. Its expansive nature makes it a popular destination for boating, fishing, and swimming. The same can be said of Patoka Lake in Southern Indiana that features nearly 26,000 acres of land and water.

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Monroe Lake is a popular place to kayak.

Lake Michigan is unmatched with its activity and beauty as it is home to several species of fish, including salmon, trout, and bass, making it an anglers’ favorite.

Indiana has a multitude of rivers that offer tubing and rafting experiences, such as the Tippecanoe River in northern Indiana and the Blue River in southern Indiana. Many companies in Indiana even offer boat tours of local waterways, including the Ohio River and Lake Michigan.

WATER PARKS

Some of Indiana’s popular amusement parks feature both traditional rides and water attractions.

This combination allows families to enjoy a diverse range of entertainment options, including roller coasters, carnival rides, and water slides all in one location. Some of the more popular water parks include: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari: Located in Santa Claus, this combination amusement park and water park attracts visitors from across the country. Splashin’ Safari is known for its thrilling water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and family-friendly atmosphere. It also houses some of the world’s largest water coasters, including the Wildebeest and Mammoth.

Deep River Waterpark: Situated in Crown Point, Deep River Waterpark is the largest water park in the state.

It features a variety of water slides, a

lazy river, a wave pool, and a children’s splash area.

Indiana Beach Amusement & Water Park: Indiana Beach, located in Monticello, lays claim to a water park that entertains visitors with a range of water attractions, including a fourstory water slide tower, wave pools, and a splash pad (a soft foam pad with sprayers, water drops and safe water fun for all ages), all situated along the shores of Lake Shafer.

Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park: This 40,000-square-foot indoor water park in French Lick is a popular year-round destination, offering a tropical-themed environment with water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and interactive play areas. Guests can zip down the Jolly Roger Jetty water slide and play basketball in the Lost Treasure Lagoon.

Indiana’s diverse aquatic offerings cater to all ages and interests, ensuring every member of the family can find something enjoyable.

The state’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing these aquatic attractions, along with its focus on safety and accessibility, makes it a top choice for families seeking memorable and exciting water-based adventures.

So, dive into the fun and explore Indiana’s aquatic adventures, creating lasting memories and experiencing the joy of being surrounded by water in this picturesque state.

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INDIANA’S FOOD AND BEVERAGE SCENE IS SECOND-TO-NONE

Amish Country buffets, Hoosier Pie and tasty tenderloin are but a few delectable dishes that can be found in Indiana • By Randy Mink

Fair Oaks Farms has some of the best ice cream in the state.

All photos courtesy of Team Indiana

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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

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oading up your plate at one of the big Amish-style restaurants in Northern Indiana’s Amish Country is an eating experience not to be missed. Buffet stations offer fried chicken, melt-in-your-mouth roast beef, Amish beef & noodles, and mashed potatoes and gravy, and other stick-to-your-ribs comfort foods.

But the state’s entire dining scene is a smorgasbord of tempting delights.

Many of Indiana’s best locally owned food-and-beverage places can be found on restaurant trails developed by the non-profit Indiana Foodways Alliance. Most popular are the Hoosier Pie Trail, Tenderloin Lovers Trail and Sweet Temptations Trail.

When it comes to all-you-can-eat Amish Country buffets, Blue Gate Restaurant in Shipshewana and Middlebury’s Das Essenhaus lead the pack. Both offer family-style dining as well—they’ll bring shareable platters of meat, potatoes and vegetables to your table until you tell them to stop.

Sugar cream pie, the official state pie of Indiana, is found in restaurants and bakeries in Amish Country and across the state. A simple mixture of cream, sugar, flour, cornstarch, vanilla and butter or shortening, the velvety-smooth pie is said to have originated in the kitchens of Amish and Shaker settlers in the 1800s. Wick’s Pies, Inc. in Winchester makes more sugar cream pies than anyone—try a slice at Wick’s restaurant.

The pork tenderloin sandwich is another Indiana classic. Pounded

out until it’s as big as a dinner plate, the breaded, fried cutlet extends well beyond the confines of a standard bun. Garnishing the crunchy meat are lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, or perhaps pickles and mustard. The Tenderloin Lovers Trail has 75 locations.

Muncie restaurants serving the tasty behemoth include Amazing Joe’s Grill, Elm Street Brewing Company and Mulligan’s Clubhouse Grill, which offers views of the adjacent Crestview Country Club.

Overlooking Donald Ross Golf Course at French Lick Resort, Hagen’s Club House Restaurant is celebrated for its fall-off-the-bone ribs coated in housemade BBQ sauce.

If you’re anywhere near Fort Wayne, drop by downtown’s Coney Island, an old-school diner. Founded by Greek immigrants in 1914, this Main Street mainstay is Fort Wayne’s oldest restaurant and claims to be the oldest hot dog stand in America. Grab a stool at the counter or at a table for an iconic coney dog (with mustard, chili sauce and hand-chopped onions) in a steamed bun and wash it down with a small glass bottle of Coca-Cola.

Fans of grilled cheese sandwiches flock to Fair Oaks Farms, a common stop on Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana. The COWfé, a great place for a quick meal or ice cream, is famous for its grilled cheese, made with Swiss, cheddar or Havarti pepper on ciabatta bread—perfect with Fair Oaks chocolate milk.

Other farm-to-fork favorites include Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant in Starlight. Its made-from-scratch

Enjoy delectable dishes at The Barns at Nappanee.

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menu features fried chicken, Huber Honey Ham, fried biscuits with apple butter, chicken and dumplings, and a variety of fresh vegetables and homemade pies and cobblers. Payne’s Restaurant in Gas City touts grass-fed meats, fresh herbs grown in the on-site garden, and a wide range of vegan and gluten-free options. For nostalgia in downtown Columbus, a must-stop is Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum, a beautifully restored relic of yesteryear, complete with melodious sounds emanating from the 1908 self-playing organ. In South Bend, chocoholics make a beeline to South Bend Chocolate Company, which makes chocolates, popcorn, cookies and other goodies. Factory tours (hairnets required) include multiple samples and illuminate the whole chocolate-making process.

Indiana, the first state to grow grapes commercially, as far back as 1802, boasts more than 100 wineries, many with tasting rooms. Top picks in southern Indiana include Blue Heron Vineyard in Cannelton, which offers breathtaking Ohio River views from its patio; Huber’s Orchard & Winery in Starlight, Indiana’s largest estate bottled winery; and German-inspired Winzerwald Winery & Vineyard in the Hoosier National Forest.

In the French Lick-West Baden area, top stops are Patoka Lake Winery, known for its different flavors of wine slushies, and French Lick Winery, adjacent to Spirits of French Lick, a true artisan craft distillery that mills all its own grains in producing gin, vodka, bourbon and other spirits.

Blue Gate Restaurant

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TERRE HAUTE, IN

Scan to discover more of what Terre Haute CVB offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

WITHIN 200 MILES OF CINCINNATI, INDIANAPOLIS, ST. LOUIS AND LOUISVILLE, THIS SMALL TOWN OFFERS PARKS, MUSEUMS AND SOME TOP-NOTCH VENUES.

Vigo County Aquatic Center

An abundance of museums makes it a great town in which to learn and explore—venture over to the Indiana Track & Field & Cross Country Hall of Fame Museum.

Ready to head outdoors? This Hoosier State gem boasts a multitude of parks where children can play and adults can spend some time relaxing in the sun. At terrehaute.com, there are a variety of sports and non-sports related activities for visitors.

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Hulman Mini-Speedway Racing

The Terre Haute Quarter Midget Association (THQMA) is based at the Hulman MiniSpeedway. Quarter Midget Racing is a familyoriented sport that involves racing that is designed specifically for kids aged five to 16.

Racing is divided into many different classes based on age, skill level and motor type.

Springhill Soccer Complex Soccer

The Springhill Soccer Complex features 45 soccer fields for varying ages from four to 13 12 52

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years of age. It is home to the Vigo County Youth Soccer Association and host of the Midwest Soccer Classic.

Vigo County Aquatic Center Swimming

The Vigo County Aquatic Center, opened in 2016, is a 50-meter-by- 25-yard competition and teaching pool. It is an Olympic-sized pool that has 10- and 50-meter training lanes. The 10-by15-foot video board can show live competition.

The center can seat up to 500 people for major events and is the home to three Vigo County High School swim teams, as well as the Terre Haute Torpedos, a local swim club. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course Cross Country

This world-class, 240-acre course, located just east of downtown Terre Haute at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center, has the distinction of being one of the few purposebuilt cross country courses in the world, as well as one of the most spectator-friendly distance running courses. It has been home to the NCAA Division I Great Lakes Regional, Division III Regional and Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. It has also hosted the Indiana State High School Championship Meet, Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional Meet, and numerous invitational and championship meets.

Griffin Bike Park Biking

This full spectrum destination riding experience is designed for riders of all ages, skills and abilities. The Veteran-themed bike park was founded on honoring and empowering those who have served our country. This unique bike park has several specialized riding areas designed to provide a wide range of features for special riding style and disciplines. Griffin Bike Park also has a new “Freedom Trail” designed especially

for those with differing disabilities and using adaptive equipment. With a 5-acre terrain park, a basic training skills park, loop trail and racing venues all designed for large scale, national level races makes this park worth visiting.

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“It would not be possible to provide the many soccer programs and events without the support of the many volunteers, soccer families, local businesses, colleges, universities and especially the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau.”

— Jim Wilkey, VCYSA Tournament Director and Past President

▶ At terrehaute.com, there

are a variety of sports and non-sports related activities for visitors.

▶ The Terre Haute Convention

& Visitors Bureau would love to help you plan your next sporting event in the Midwest. Known as “The Crossroads of America,” Terre Haute provides a central location for any sport.

▶ The newly renovated

Brittlebank Park includes six new additional pickleball courts, a new basketball court, restrooms, and a playground. Brittlebank Park is known as a premier pickleball destination throughout the Midwest.

TERRE HAUTE CVB David Patterson Executive Director 812-234-5555 david@terrehaute.com TerreHaute.com

Hulman Mini-Speedway

Springhill Soccer Complex

LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course

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Griffin Bike Park

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E XPLORE

Plan Your Next Sporting Event in Terre Haute The Terre Haute Convention & Visitors Bureau would love to help you plan your next sporting event in the Midwest. Known as “The Crossroads of America,” Terre Haute provides a central location for any sport.

The LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course has hosted a variety of races over many years including NCAA Division I, Great Lakes Regionals, Division III Men & Women’s, NCAA Division I Championships, IHSAA Sectionals and State Championships and the Nike Cross Country Nationals. The course is constantly improving and now has a newly built medical building on-site.

The newly renovated Brittlebank Park includes six new additional pickleball courts, a new basketball court, restrooms, and a playground.

Brittlebank Park is known as a premier pickleball destination throughout the Midwest.

Located on the banks of the Wabash River is the Gibson Track & Field Complex. Included at the facility is a state-of-the-art 400-meter track, as well as accommodations for multi-directional options for all NCAA field events.

With an anticipated opening in early 2024, the new Larry Bird Museum

will welcome visitors to tour memorabilia and sports history with Larry Bird’s legacy.

Our hotel selection continues to grow, offering a variety of convenient rooms for teams and visitors. Popular stops include everything from wineries, breweries, unique restaurants, theaters, museums, spiritual walking tour at Saint Mary of-the-Woods college campus, the Griffin Bike Park and more.

We look forward to welcoming you to Terre Haute for your next sporting event!

LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course

Larry Bird Museum

Brittlebank Park

Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza

Gibson Track & Field Complex

Find the Best Restaurants, Sports, Getaways and More in Terre Haute

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TerreHaute.com | 812-234-5555

South Shore, IN NORTHWEST INDIANA’S CENTRALIZED LOCATION MAKES US EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM ALMOST ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Scan to discover more of what South Shore CVA offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The South Shore Sports team has the resources and expertise to handle our every need and they always make us feel at home when we are in the South Shore.”

— Bill Horton, President of the National Softball Association

Crown Point Sportsplex

The South Shore of Lake Michigan is situated roughly 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. Our state-ofthe-art sports facilities and unique attractions draw youth, amateur, collegiate and professional sporting events from around the nation.

With a wide selection of top quality hotels, entertainment and delicious restaurants, Northwest Indiana excels in hosting tournaments of all sizes.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Satisfy your sweet tooth at

Albanese Candy in Merrillville where you’ll find the World’s Best Gummies.

▶ Visit the Mascot Hall of Fame for some science-based, furry fun in Whiting.

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Hammond Sportsplex

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Crown Point Sportsplex

Baseball, softball, football, lacrosse, soccer The Crown Point Sportsplex is a 95acre multi-use outdoor sports and event destination conveniently located off I-65.

In 2023, the facility completed a $1 million improvement project and installed six NEW synthetic turf infields. The facility features 10 illuminated fields (7 synthetic turf infields & natural grass outfields), and championship field with stadium seating. In addition, the facility also features two synthetic turf multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse and football.

Hammond Sportsplex

Basketball, dodgeball, pickleball, soccer, volleyball, beach volleyball, wrestling The state-of-the-art facility features six hardwood basketball courts, six regulation-size volleyball courts (12 cross-court), two indoor turf soccer fields and six indoor batting cages. NEW to the facility in 2023 are four outdoor beach

volleyball courts! Other amenities include an elevated, quarter-mile walking/running track, hospitality room, the Union Bar & Lounge and concession stand.

Dyer Central Park Softball, baseball

Dyer Central Park Softball Fields are located in Dyer, IN. The park features four natural grass, illuminated diamonds surrounding a two-story concession stand, clubhouse and pressbox. Additional amenities include a playground, batting cages and a large parking lot.

SOUTH SHORE CONVENTION AND VISITORS AUTHORITY Megan Goodan Chief Sports & Leisure Officer 219-301-7762 mgoodan@southshorecva.com www.alongthesouthshore.com @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

LafayetteWest Lafayette, IN WITH ITS WORLD-CLASS GOLF COURSES AND OTHER SPORTING FACILITIES, LAFAYETTE-WEST LAFAYETTE PUTS ITS COMPETITION TO SHAME

Scan to discover more of what Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“We hosted our National Collegiate Club Golf Association’s Championship at the Birck Boilermaker Complex.

With over 300 golfers traveling from across the country to West Lafayette, the Kampen and Ackerman-Allen courses couldn’t have been in better shape for a great challenge. This was the second time the championship was hosted here and we will be sure to come back in the future.”

Loeb Stadium

— Matt Weinberger Director, Nextgengolf Operations

Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex

Lafayette-West Lafayette offers a small-town feel with plenty of city-sized opportunities.

Delectable restaurants, art galleries, museums, cool coffee shops, nightlife & entertainment, interesting architecture, unique shops, and festivals create a place full of vibrancy and charm.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Visit any of the three districts in Downtown Lafayette-

West Lafayette, where a slew of restaurants, shops and entertainment options await.

▶ The arts and culture scene around Lafayette and West Lafayette offers some of the best art galleries around the Midwest.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Loeb Stadium

Baseball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Softball, Cornhole, Kickball, Quidditch, Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee Dedicated in March 2021, the new Loeb Stadium has many new, exciting state-of-theart features. This multi-use stadium features two concession areas, a large multi-purpose concourse, and ample retail and office space.

With the combined lawn and stadium seating, Loeb Stadium features a seating capacity of approximately 2,600.

Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex Golf

Enjoy the one of a kind Purdue golf experience at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex. The complex features two 18-hole championship golf courses as well as a state-of-the-art training facility and driving range. The two courses, Ackerman-Allen and Kampen, each offer their own benefits and experience. Kampen has been rated one of the top collegiate courses in the

nation and awarded 4.5 stars on Golf Digest’s “Places to Play”. The complex most recently hosted the PGA Canada Forme Tour in 2021.

Schwartz Tennis Center Tennis

Schwartz Tennis Center is Purdue University’s first indoor tennis center. The six indoor Basham Courts and 12 outdoor Schwartz Family Courts are available to the public. Six outdoor courts were added to the original six varsity courts in the fall of 2010. The 60,000-squarefoot facility includes locker rooms for the teams, offices for administrative staff and coaches, an athletic training room, and seating areas for fans on the mezzanine above the courts.

VISIT LAFAYETTE-WEST LAFAYETTE Gabriela Espinoza, Group and Sports Marketing Strategist 765-447-9999 gespinoza@homeofpurdue.com www.homeofpurdue.com Sports Planning Guide

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Hamilton County, IN

Scan to discover more of what Hamilton County offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

Photo courtesy of Hamilton County Tourism

VISIT HAMILTON COUNTY AND SEE WHY IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF AMERICA’S GREAT PLACES TO PLAY

Grand Park Sports Campus

Just north of Indianapolis, Hamilton County is home to world-class sports facilities and within a day’s drive for over half of U.S. residents. It’s also among America’s best places to live, work and play. Hamilton County is an easy-to-reach, affordable destination with toptier sports facilities, amenities and attractions. Learn more at HamiltonCountySports.com.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Grand Park Sports Campus: Training Camps and Championships

Baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse For youth baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball and lacrosse, Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield is one of the largest complexes of its kind, operating more than 350 days a year and annual attendance topping 1 million. The facility

boasts 26 diamonds, 31 multi-purpose fields, eight indoor basketball/volleyball courts and three full-size indoor soccer fields. Grand Park’s diverse roster of playing spaces and amenities make it ideal not only for sporting activities - from small youth events to national championships - but trade shows, corporate engagements and public events. Since opening in 2014, Grand Park’s staff and facilities have earned a national reputation for excellence and the trust of

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the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, which utilize it for the preseason Colts Training Camp, and hosted Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Soccer championships.

Crooked Stick to Purgatory World-class golf

Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel has hosted numerous PGA, LPGA and USGA events including the PGA Championship, Solheim Cup and BMW Championship. But Hamilton County is home to four more championship courses that regularly host major collegiate and amateur tournaments: Prairie View, Purgatory, Sagamore and Chatham Hills.

Forest Park Aquatic Center Swimming, diving

Six venues – Pacers Athletic Center, Mojo Up Sports Complex, Best Choice Fieldhouse, Boys & Girls Club, Westfield MPIF and Carmel Dad’s Club Sports Complex – offer 34 courts for basketball and volleyball. The CDC complex also has three batting cages and an indoor turf field for year-round football and soccer training, ringed by a running/walking track.

Hotspots for Ice and Water Sports Hockey, ice skating, fishing

The Carmel Ice Skadium, Indy Fuel Tank and Arctic Zone combine for five sheets of ice. If you’re looking for warmer water, two large reservoirs – Geist and Morse – and the White River are perfect for fishing tournaments and open water competitions.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Explore Strawtown Koteewi Park for outdoor activities including aerial adventures, horseback riding, hiking, archery and more.

▶ Step into the story at Conner

Prairie, a Smithsonian Institute affiliate outdoor history museum that inspires curiosity and fosters learning for all ages.

▶ Play games, catch a movie, relax

and unwind at Carmel’s Midtown Plaza or Fishers District.

▶ Rock out to your favorite band

or musician at venues like Ruoff

The City of Noblesville’s Forest Park Aquatic Center holds one of America’s few remaining outdoor platform diving wells. Combining the championship-caliber diving facility with an Olympic-sized competition pool, Indiana Diving Academy’s RipFest Diving Camp has trained Olympic medalists.

HAMILTON COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY Carl Daniels, Director cdaniels@hamiltoncountysports.com HamiltonCountySports.com

day of the week.

▶ Ride the rails with Nickel Plate excursion.

gamick@hamiltoncountysports.com

More than basketball

famous, enjoy music nearly every

Express during a themed

Gabe Amick Senior Sports Development Manager

Hamilton County Fieldhouses

Music Center. From free to

HamiltonCountySports.com

Indiana is basketball crazy, but Hamilton County fieldhouses regularly welcome all sports.

▶ Explore the arts! Public art is everywhere in Hamilton County.

Enjoy engaging murals, statues and even art in roundabouts.

Forest Park Aquatic Center

Mojo Up Sports Complex

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Hamilton County Tourism

Mojo Up, Finch Creek

Hamilton County Sports Authority

The Hamilton County Sports Authority understands the challenges faced in staging events and tournaments. The HCSA provides many ground services, grants and assistance to make your event a success. We help with site selection, lodging, receptive services, health and safety, event planning, publicity, visitor experience and more.

Grand Park Sports Campus

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Noble County, IN

Scan to discover more of what Noble County Convention & Visitor Bureau offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

FILLED WITH HISTORY AND NATURAL BEAUTY, NOBLE COUNTY IS AN IDYLLIC DESTINATION

Cobblestone Golf Course

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The polite and knowledgeable staff are always welcoming and the facilities are always in top shape.

Worth booking a tournament. 5 out of 5 stars.”

— Randall Mayberry, BARNSTORMERS 13U

Hidden Diamonds Park

Kendallville Outdoor Sports & Recreation Complex

Founded in 1836, Noble County, Indiana has a rich history centered around the natural elements in the region. Visitors will enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational activities, unique public art displays and historical landmarks that will take you back in time.

Explore Noble County’s communities, each possessing its own character.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Cobblestone Golf Course

Hidden Diamonds Park

This award-winning 18-hole course in Kendallville is a premier public championship golf course and event center, offering golf situated on 240 beautiful acres of rolling terrain with challenging features throughout the course. Newly introduced in recent years, the course has a set of five tee boxes – sure to benefit golfers of all skill levels. Cobblestone will give you the quality experience you come to expect at top rated public golf courses.

Hidden Diamonds Park is 89 acres of rolling hills in Albion. The premier outdoor recreational area features a diverse array of outdoor recreation including soccer fields and concessions, lighted baseball/softball diamonds, a sand volleyball pit, lighted basketball court, disc golf course, playground, and walking trails.

It also added a new skate park in 2024.

Golf

Soccer, volleyball, basketball, trails, disc golf

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Hidden Ego Event & Recreation Facility Volleyball, live music

Located in Kendallville, Hidden Ego Volleyball and Event Center offers outdoor recreation, plus a family bar, ping pong, and live music events.

Kendallville Outdoor Sports & Recreation Complex

Baseball, basketball, soccer, shuffleboard, disc golf Home to 89 acres of ball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, shuffleboard, and more, the Kendallville Outdoor Sports & Recreation Complex is an ideal venue for any sports event. It has four diamonds, three soccer fields, basketball and shuffleboard courts.

Ligonier Park & Recreational Center Basketball, volleyball, weight room, disc golf

Inside Ligonier Park, the 15,000-squarefoot sports and recreation center includes basketball courts, volleyball courts, a weight

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room, a sauna, a hot tub and exercise equipment. It also added four new outdoor pickleball courts in 2023.

Noble Hawk Golf Course Golf

POPULAR ACTIVITIES Annie Oakley Perfumery in Ligonier has sold over 2 million bottles and remains the only perfumery in the USA. Take a tour and learn about its story.

An 18-hole links course, Noble Hawks Golf Course is Northeast Indiana’s most unique public golf facility and the perfect combination of links and traditional golf. “The Hawk” features a unique design and theme featuring the perfect combination of links and traditional golf while showcasing a variety of beautiful golf holes.

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary is an 18-acre exotic animal sanctuary located in Albion. The sanctuary provides permanent refuge for displaced, captive-raised exotic animals kept as “pets” or retired from performance Chain O’Lakes State Park is a small boater’s paradise and hiker’s haven. Nine connecting lakes will

NOBLE COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU

be the center of your adventures at Chain O’ Lakes. Paddle through the chain of serene kettle lakes,

Grace Caswell

hike the 29 miles of trails and fish

260-636-3602

the electric-motors-only lakes.

grace@visitnoblecounty.com www.visitnoblecounty.com

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Fort Wayne, IN IN THE HEART OF THE MIDWEST, FORT WAYNE OFFERS COUNTLESS STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES SURROUNDED BY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL

Scan to discover more of what Visit Fort Wayne offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The city itself just embraces our event.

Everyone there from Visit Fort Wayne to the restaurant owners to the hotels to the facility, everyone there just seems to really love our event. We don’t get lost there, like maybe some major cities where you’re just one of a million events they host. To be able to bring people to a place that’s affordable for the teams, somewhere that they can get to at a reasonable price and reasonable time from everywhere…it just seems like a good fit for a family.”

Plassman Athletic Center at Turnstone

— Tim McManus, President, State Wars Roller Hockey

SportONE Parkview Fieldhouse

SportONE Parkview Icehouse

Fort Wayne, the second largest city in Indiana, is one of the top Midwest destinations for sports tournaments and events. With a wide selection of premier sports venues, first-rate hotels, familyfriendly entertainment, and restaurants, Fort Wayne excels in hosting tournaments of all sizes and skill levels.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Basketball, hockey, wrestling, volleyball

Indiana’s second largest public assembly facility with 1,000,000 sq. ft. With the capability to hold 13,000 spectators for basketball games and 10,480 for hockey, this massive arena has hosted many major sporting events since opening in 1952. Most recently, the arena has been the host destination for 2019 through 2026 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championships. It is the home of the Fort Wayne Komets ECHL AA Minor League hockey

team. The customizable space at the Memorial Coliseum is also an excellent fit for mat sports, CrossFit, and boxing.

Plassman Athletic Center at Turnstone

Basketball, gymnastics, goalball, handball, boccia, wrestling, martial arts, dance/cheer, track and field An official Olympic and Paralympic training site, Turnstone is the only paralympic training site in the state and one of three dedicated adaptive facilities in the U.S. @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

The Plassman Athletic Center at Turnstone features a 75,000-square-foot fieldhouse with a 230-meter track and 4 collegiate sized basketball courts. Home of USA Paralympic Men’s and Women’s Goalball, Turnstone has hosted prestigious events such as the International Blind Sports Federation’s Goalball and Judo Paralympic Qualifying Competitions.

three-sheet facility in Indiana. The Icehouse has partnerships with Fort Wayne Amateur Hockey Association, Fort Wayne Ice Skating Club, and the Indiana Tech Hockey teams.

The onsite, full-service restaurant and bar overlooks all three surfaces. The Icehouse has hosted many large tournaments such as the 2022 US Figure Skating Championship.

SportONE Parkview Fieldhouse

The Plex

This 57,000-square-foot multipurpose facility is a premier destination for indoor competitions, with its eight hardwood volleyball courts which can transition into six high school regulation basketball courts.

Equipped with bleacher seating, on-site storage, and a sports performance area, many clubs around the area including Summit Volleyball, Fort Wayne Futsal, and Gym Rats Basketball call this facility home.

The Plex facilities are one of the largest and most versatile indoor and outdoor sports, recreation, and event facilities in Northeast Indiana. The Plex South includes over 60,000 sq. ft. of indoor sports and entertainment space. The Plex North features 19 natural grass fields and 2 indoor fields with XL turf in a 45,000 sq. ft. arena.

Basketball, volleyball, futsal, pickleball

SportONE Parkview Icehouse

Hockey, sled hockey, ice skating, curling, roller hockey With three NHL-sized ice surfaces, SportONE Parkview Icehouse is the only

POPULAR ACTIVITIES Experience rides, animals and unique hands-on experiences at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, one of the top zoos in the nation.

Promenade Park on the Riverfront is a one-of-a-kind park that joins natural rivers to

Soccer, football, baseball, softball, golf

athriving urban center.

Watch the TinCaps battle it out on the diamond at Parkview Field, then run the bases after the game concludes.

Check out more than 200 exhibits at Science Central, a fun interactive science center.

VISIT FORT WAYNE

Submerge into an oasis

Jazmin Zavala, Sports Sales Manager

of natural wonders at the

260-424-3700

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical

jazmin@visitfortwayne.com

Conservatory.

VisitFortWayne.com/ TournamentFacilities

ADAPTIVE. ACCESSIBLE. EXCEPTIONAL. Fort Wayne is home to Indianaʼs only 3-sheet ice facility, the 4th largest Paralympic sport club in the United States, and over a dozen top-notch indoor and outdoor athletic facilities. Be the MVP of Sports Planning when you GET STARTED AT VISITFORTWAYNE.COM

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Evansville, In THIS IDYLLIC CITY IS FILLED WITH FASCINATING SPORTS HISTORY, STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES AND ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES

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PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“The new turf and other renovations to Deaconess Sports Park really helps tournament directors market and sell their events. Rising costs in fuel and other supplies make teams want to be confident, when they sign up for tournaments, that they will be playing regardless of rain and other mild weather conditions. Evansville embraces sportsmanship and hospitality, which is another reason why the community is a great fit for our tournaments.”

— Tim Foster,State Director Indiana USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association)

Deaconess Aquatic Center

Deaconess Sports Park

There’s always something to do in beautiful Evansville. This city has more than 300 locally owned and operated non-chain restaurants and food trucks, many of them serving you from local farms.

Sports fans will appreciate Evansville’s history, as it is home to historic Bosse Field, the first municipally owned sports stadium in the nation and the third-oldest ballpark still in regular use for professional baseball.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Deaconess Sports Park Baseball, softball

Deaconess Sports Park is an eight-field complex ideal for girls, women’s and men’s fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball, adult and coed softball league play, and boys baseball for 13 and under tournaments. These state-of-the-art fields recently underwent a $3m renovation which included installation of turf infields and improved irrigation across all playing grounds, allowing for fewer rainouts and longer playing seasons. Additionally, the park features

batting cages, shaded spectator seating, brick-covered dugouts, bullpens, team warmup areas and onsite concessions. For family members and spectators, the park offers a nine-foot wide, mile-long walking path, two playgrounds, a spray park, amphitheater and a large common area.

Goebel Soccer Complex

Field hockey, lacrosse, soccer A multi-purpose sports facility designed to serve local and regional tournaments and the community at large, Goebel Soccer @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Photos courtesy of Alex Morgan

Deaconess Sports Complex

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ Burdette Park provides a recreational Complex completed a $2.3 million renovation in 2019. The complex covers 70 acres with 10 different playing fields, including two fescue fields, seven Olympic-size irrigated Bermuda grass fields and one Olympic-size AstroPlay synthetic turf, six of which are lighted.

Amenities at this top-notch sports facility are concessions, a training room, on-site restrooms, a visitor’s center, office and ATM machine. Events at Goebel Soccer Complex include the Veterans Invitational Tournament; the facility also hosts several other soccer and lacrosse events throughout the year.

Deaconess Aquatic Center Swimming

Evansville’s newest city pool and recreation center, Deaconess Aquatic Center features an outdoor splash pad, a recreation pool, a 50-meter competitive pool and a separated diving well. It has four separate locker rooms for both participants and officials and has relay touch pads and a timing system. It contains just under 1,000 seats for spectators.

These seats are a level higher than pool level for optimal viewing.

Ford Center Arena

Basketball, hockey, figure skating As the region’s center for sports and entertainment, Ford Center Arena is a stunning and exciting multi-purpose facility with 290,000 square feet and the capacity to seat 11,000 spectators. With 20,000 square feet of usable space, the arena can be modified for basketball, hockey, concerts, conventions, rodeos, expos and any other event imaginable. Home of the NCAA Division I University of Evansville Aces men’s basketball team and the SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts hockey team, Ford Center Arena has all the necessary amenities a sports facility needs, including wheelchair accessible seating, men’s, women’s and family restrooms and concessions.

and educational environment consisting of approximately 170 acres of wooded hills. It also features an outdoor aquatic center and BMX track.

▶ Wesselman Woods provides environmental education and outdoor recreation experiences designed to awaken the senses and enrich the lives of visitors.

▶ Wessleman Park will soon feature a

state-of-the-art Pickleball Complex, set to open in 2024. Boasting 16 dedicated pickleball courts and 12 convertible tennis courts, this top-tier facility promises endless fun and competition.

Enhanced with onsite amenities to ensure a comfortable and memorable experience, it will be the ideal

VISIT EVANSVILLE Aaron King, Assistant Director of Sports Development

destination for tournament promoters and casual pickleball enthusiasts alike.

▶ Evansville’s new riverfront addition,

aking@exploreevansville.com

the Sunset Skate Park, is set to open

812-421-2209

by the end of 2023. It offers over 30

www.visitevansville.com

features influenced by the distinctive landscapes of Southwest Indiana.

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Grand Park Sports Campus, IN

Scan to discover more of what Grand Park Sports Campus offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

THIS MIDWEST 400+ ACRE SPORTS COMPLEX IN WESTFIELD, INDIANA IS A DESTINATION LIKE NO OTHER!

Grand Park Sports Campus diamonds

Picture your average sports complex or park and multiply it by … a lot. The massive Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield covers 400 acres and is home to 31 multipurpose fields, 26 diamonds, four indoor facilities and has hosted over 100 events in a year.

Grand Park welcomes 3.5 million visitors a year and in 2020 was voted Best Soccer Facility.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Impressive outdoor fields

Grand Park Events Center

Soccer, lacrosse, football, ultimate f risbee, rugby, field hockey, baseball, softball, running

Soccer, football, rugby, volleyball, lacrosse, cheerleading, PLUS: national summits, conventions, consumer shows and trade shows

Grand Park’s campus includes 31 outdoor fields that accommodate soccer, lacrosse, football, ultimate frisbee, rugby, and field hockey, and 26 baseball and softball diamonds. All of the diamonds have lighting and eight have synthetic turf. Visitors and residents enjoy using the running/ walking trails that span for miles; the campus also features a mapped out 5K course that makes Grand Park Sports Campus, IN an ideal location to host a 5K walk/run.

The Events Center is an indoor sports facility that covers 377,000 square feet and features three full-size synthetic turf fields, a 45,000-square-foot warmup area, four locker rooms, and fully equipped conference rooms. The facility also offers concessions and a full-service sports pub with viewing suites. The mezzanine is made up of 30,000 square feet for spectators to view the action f rom above the fields. The Events @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Center can accommodate sporting events such as soccer, football, rugby, volleyball, lacrosse, and cheerleading and can also host nonsports events such as consumer shows, large company outings, keynote presentations, consignment sales, and more!

The building is home to the Indiana Soccer Association and Indiana Fire Academy.

Pro X Athlete Development

Athletic training and development Pro X is a premier training facility that provides sport-specific programming for baseball, softball, golf, and football using state-of-the-art technology to help each athlete reach their potential. To optimize athletic performance, they also offer sports rehab, physical therapy, sports vision programs, mental training, and nutrition consultations.

This 88,000-square foot athletic facility is designed for youth sports training, leagues, and tournaments in basketball, volleyball, and futsal. Sporting events, camps and club teams take place at the PAC year-round.

the Indianapolis Colts Training Camp

Gymnastics, Ninjazone, dance

for five weeks during the summer. The

Added in 2022, Wright’s 360° Movement Academy offers gymnastics, Ninjazone, and dance for preschool and youth. Camps, kids’ night out, or preschool prep is also available.

The Wright’s FUNdamentals program offers a 10-level system that is based on each child’s individual skill development.

camp is open to the public and allows attendees to watch the team practice and participate in theme days, which feature food and drink deals, apparel deals, live music and entertainment, special activities, giveaways, and cheerleader performances. The camp is loaded with fun and excitement that

Excellent food

you don’t want to miss.

Grand Park has seven conveniently located outdoor concession stands, and the Events Center offers a full-service restaurant/ concessions stand on the main floor and a sports pub on the mezzanine level.

▶ The 26 diamonds at Grand Park, are managed and operated by Bullpen Tournaments and include eight high school/college diamonds and 14 softball/junior diamonds. All of the diamonds have lighting and eight have synthetic turf. Each field includes covered dugouts and bleachers.

Pacers Athletic Center

Basketball, volleyball, futsal

▶ Grand Park is proud to be the home to

Wright’s 360 ° Movement Academy

During a typical baseball and softball

GRAND PARK SPORTS CAMPUS

season, Grand Park welcomes around 6,000 teams from 24 states.

Matt Trnian, Director

Approximately 13,000 games are

317-804-3010

played which brings in over 104,000

mtrnian@westfield.in.gov

athletes, and 610,000 visitors.

grandpark.org

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

31 outdoor multipurpose fields and 26 diamonds

“Indiana Soccer just completed hosting the third in a series of four US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional events. When we arrived to set up and decorate the facility for the event, the park looked amazing. The grass field conditions at Grand Park are the best in the Midwest, maybe the whole country. The Grand Park grounds crew, headed by Ryan Fisher, did a fantastic job of keeping the fields in top condition during the event, too. They were on top of every little detail so Indiana Soccer could deliver the best possible Regional Championship event experience to the participants. In addition to the fields and the facility, the Grand Park operations staff, headed

by Sean Owens and Rachel Nelson, worked with Indiana Soccer and the Midwest Regional Committee to prepare and deliver an excellent event the participants will remember for a lifetime. The staff was always cheerful and never more than couple minutes away from attending to any request. This is a group of people you want “on your team” for every event!”

— Angel Hall, Indiana Soccer Association

Pacers Athletic Center

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Elkhart County, IN

Scan to discover more of what Elkhart County CVB offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

WHETHER YOU ARE COMPETING INDOOR OR OUTDOOR, ELKHART COUNTY HAS THE SPORTS VENUE FOR YOU

Elkhart Aquatics Center

Located 120 miles east of Chicago along I-80/90, Elkhart County is home to alluring cities that are filled with attractions.

From classic small towns to energetic centers, the welcome mat is always out. Elkhart County also features excellent sports facilities, many of which are considered among the best playing surfaces in the country.

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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Elkhart Health & Aquatics Swimming, basketball

Elkhart Health & Aquatics is great for people of all experiences and ages. It features a larger-than-life Olympic-sized pool that holds 1.1 million gallons of water and uses adjustable bulkheads to separate the pool into sections to cater to events. Whether that is for lap swimming, swim lessons, diving, birthday parties, training or swim meets, the facility can do it all.

The facility has a pool with 10-lap swimming

lanes, spring diving boards (one and three meters), platform diving (three and five meters), a full-size diving well, a warm water therapy pool, a whirlpool and adjustable bulkheads. The facility also has a seating capacity of 1,200 and family, men’s and women’s locker rooms. The certified, trained instructors offer more than 30 swim lessons a week.

You can even rent basketball courts that are adjustable for sports, tournaments or live events. The facility also has conference rooms featuring flexible space designed to meet your event needs. The space includes three @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

combinable rooms each with a capacity of 36 guests. The Grand Hall is also available and features an open and inviting space that is perfect for large events.

Moose Rugby Grounds Rugby

Rugby has a huge following in the United States. So much so that it’s found in Elkhart County in a great sports facility called Moose Rugby Grounds. The Grounds features four championship-sized rugby f ields, 12 acres of flat, grassy land, two entrance gates on the Grounds, paved parking for nearly 500 cars and buses and additional grass parking. Its 12-plus acres of playing surfaces are all well maintained and irrigated four days per week, mowed twice daily and fertilized four times a year to provide of the best playing surfaces in the country. There is also a 250-seat pavilion with concessions and restrooms. Notable rugby events hosted here include the Rugby Indiana Semi-State Championship, Rugby Indiana State Championship, Midwest Boys Championship, Midwest Girls Championship, Midwest All-Star Challenge, Boys High School National Championship and the Big Ten Men’s Championship.

Riverview Softball Complex Softball, baseball

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ The Wellfield Botanic Gardens, located in the heart of Elkhart, is a 36-

Riverview Softball Complex in Elkhart hosts one of the largest adult slow pitch tournaments in Indiana with more than 50 teams. The ballpark features four diamond fields (lighted for night play), fenced-in dugouts with roofing, and scoreboards with remote controls. It seats approximately 500-600 people.

Amenities include concessions, restrooms, a spacious parking lot, and open patches of grass for stands or otherwise. The park is affiliated with USA Softball of Indiana and is a great space to hold your softball or baseball tournament.

Notable events hosted here include USA Softball of Indiana Adult Slow Pitch Tournament, NCSA College Regionals and Invitationals, USA Elite Select Youth Fastpitch and USSSA Northern State Fastpitch competitions and various corporate tournaments and competitions.

acre natural enclave touted as a “living museum” featuring themed gardens, ponds and waterfalls.

▶ Bonneyville Mill Park, located in the town of Bristol, is embraced by the charming Little Elkhart River. Popular activities here include mill tours, hiking, and mountain biking.

▶ Enjoy Das Dutchman Essenhaus, located in the town of Middlebury.

Their world-famous Amish-style country cooking is perfect for team meals, and you’ll love their 30 varieties of pie fresh from the oven.

▶ Coppes Commons, located in the city of Nappanee, is a historic red brick building offering Amish shops, out of this world ice cream and a Hoosier

ELKHART COUNTY CVB Amanda Eckelbarger sports@eccvb.org

Cabinet Museum.

▶ Janus Motorcycles, located in the

800-262-8161

city of Goshen, is the very definition

VisitElkhartCounty.com/sports

of hand-crafted excellence. You’ll want to see these vintage looking motorcycles with your own eyes.

Moose Rugby Grounds

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South Bend and Mishawaka, IN THIS MIDWESTERN SPORTS HUB IS WHAT TOURNEY PLANNERS CRAVE: FABULOUS FACILITIES, EXCELLENT AMENITIES AND PLENTY OF ATTRACTIONS

Scan to discover more of what Visit South Bend Mishawaka offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE

“Great location, hotel selection and an abundance of first rate athletic facilities make South Bend a great choice for tournament planners! My organization operates several weekend events each season in South Bend each year and have experienced great success. Overall, I would be hard pressed to find another area that offers so much to my patrons.”

Mishawaka Fieldhouse

— Tony Prpic, Hockey Time Productions

Byers Softball Complex

Perhaps best known as the home of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend is the economic and cultural center of Northern Indiana.

The city truly has it all — whether you like Minor League Baseball or college football, chocolate factories or a night at the casino, this Hoosier State gem is the perfect place to hold a sports tournament.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES One of the oldest zoos in Indiana,

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Mishawaka Fieldhouse

Basketball, volleyball, soccer, and more Work is now underway on the Mishawaka Fieldhouse, a new indoor sports facility and the first of its size in the area. Construction is expected to take 12-14 months with operations beginning in the third quarter of 2024. Once it’s complete, the facility will cover over 220,000 square feet with room for up to 10 basketball courts or 19 volleyball courts, plus two indoor turf fields.

Byers Softball Complex

Potawatomi Zoo features around 400

Baseball, softball

animals with fun activities for everyone.

Looking to host a softball tournament in the Hoosier State? Look no further than Byers Softball Complex, which features electronic scoreboards, a PA system, team dugouts, bleacher seating and a full-service concession stand. The complex has hosted the U.S. Women’s Olympic softball team and multiple Amateur Softball Association national championships.

At East Race Waterway, visitors can go rafting or kayaking only in the summer on the first artificial white-water course in North America. At 2,000 feet long, East Race is perfect for rafters of any skill level.

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Indiana Invaders Sports Complex Soccer, lacrosse, and quadball

This complex features nine full-size soccer fields, adjustable for any sport, with four more in the process of being added. The North Complex was developed in 1999 and offers five full-size fields. It has two stadium fields with large bleachers, a scoreboard and press box, lights for night games and 600 parking spots. The South Complex, which opened in 2010, has four (soon to be eight) full-size multi-use athletic fields. It also offers 550 parking spaces and line customization for all sports.

VISIT SOUTH BEND MISHAWAKA Nick Kleva 574-400-4021 nkleva@visitsouthbend.com www.visitsouthbend.com

@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG

Kokomo, IN

Scan to discover more of what Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com

ENJOY MUSIC, SPORTS AND TOP-NOTCH ART IN THIS BEAUTIFUL MIDWESTERN CITY

PLANNER PERSPECTIVE Kokomo Municipal Stadium

“Kokomo not only provided a first-class facility, but more impressively they showed everyone working and attending our event that we mattered to the community and that Kokomo wanted us to be there and have a great experience in their city.”

— Jay Jones, Commissioner (Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference) host of 2022 HCAC Baseball Championship

Championship Park

Filled with historic museums, art glass tours and roadside attractions, the Kokomo, Indiana area offers a large variety of sights to see. Downtown Kokomo features live music, festivals, local food, shopping, trails and public art at every turn. Set against a backdrop of historic buildings and public art spaces, the city center is home to unique experiences and tastes.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

▶ At Kokomo Opalescent Glass, experience art glass that is hand-ladled and rolled from a

FACILITY SPOTLIGHT

Kokomo Municipal Stadium Baseball, softball, soccer

This beautiful championship stadium features seating for up to 4,000 including stadium, lawn, and indoor suite level seating.

The 360-degree concourse allows fans to walk around the entire playing field, so you can catch the game from every angle. The playing surface is all artificial turf, making it suitable for multiple sports and special events in nearly any weather. Kokomo Municipal Stadium is located in downtown Kokomo within walking distance to local restaurants, breweries, shops, walking trails, and public art.

Championship Park

artificial turf fields arranged in two quads, concessions, outdoor batting cages, large parking, and other amenities.

Northwest Park Softball

Northwest Park offers five lighted regulation adult softball diamonds. The park also offers two outdoor-roofed picnic shelters, grills, basketball court, tennis courts, large playground, concessions, restrooms and parking. The park is host to many softball tournaments throughout the year.

2,500-degree furnace and watch

Baseball, softball

GREATER KOKOMO VISITORS BUREAU

blown glass demonstrations from

Opened in April 2021, Championship Park is an outdoor complex that includes eight baseball/softball diamonds, including four high school-sized and four softball/ youth league-sized. Its features include full

Sherry Matlock

skilled artists as they make amazing hand-blown glass creations in the KOG Hot Glass Studio. Tours must be scheduled in advance.

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smatlock@visitkokomo.org 765-457-6802 VisitKokomo.org

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