Populous-designed fantabulous Fever facility



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Pacers Sports and Entertainment to break ground on new sports performance center Image: Populous and PS&E

The Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) recently released plans to break ground this Summer on a state-of-the-art, $78 million exclusive sports performance center for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team Indiana Fever in the heart of downtown Indianapolis (US) designed by the leading sports architects Populous.

‘PS&E’ stated that construction of the three-story, 108,000-square-foot world-class training complex is expected to begin in August 2025 and open before the 2027 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season.

Indianapolis (US)-based the Pacers Sports & Entertainment is the corporate identity exemplified by the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Indiana Pacers, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team Indiana Fever, the NBA G League team Indiana Mad Ants (the minor league organization of the National Basketball Association. The Mad Ants are the affiliate team of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers), the Pacers Foundation, Inc., (the public charity founded by the Pacers Sports & Entertainment), and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Its team of inspired and dedicated employees promises to deliver quality entertainment and unparalleled service.

The Indiana Fever is an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis (US). The Fever competes in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), a member of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded for the 2000 WNBA season. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse serves as their home ground.

The 18,000-capacity Gainbridge Fieldhouse is an indoor arena located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It opened in November 1999. The arena is the home of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Pacers Sports and Entertainment to break ground on new sports performance centerImage: Populous and PS&E

New York (US)-based the National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams. The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional basketball league in the world.

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a women’s professional basketball league based in the United States. The league comprises 13 teams. It is considered the premier professional women’s basketball league in the world. The WNBA is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.

‘PS&E’ further stated that the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center will be part of the PS&E campus and will be connected by skybridge to the Virginia Avenue Parking Garage (garage in Indianapolis) and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Raved Herb Simon, PS&E Owner, “We are excited to partner with the Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to identify the perfect location for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center. The City of Indianapolis continues to be a tremendous partner as we elevate our team, the players and the community.”

While the project plans are being finalized the center and the amenities will be designed to address the specific needs of the female athletes competing at the highest level including performance and conditioning, recovery and rehabilitation, mental health and wellness, and lifestyle support.

Specifically, the facility will have best-in-class amenities including two regulation-sized courts with natural light, premier strength and conditioning equipment, yoga and Pilates area, hydration station and full-service kitchen. To help the players recover and recharge the facility will offer a spa-like retreat with massage, infrared light therapy, sauna, steam, heat studios, float tank, and multiple hydrotherapy pools. The team will also have a private outdoor courtyard and mental performance spaces. The center will boast a hair and nail salon, childcare space and podcast and content production studio to support player lifestyles.

Pacers Sports and Entertainment to break ground on new sports performance centerImage: Populous and PS&E

Maintained Mel Raines, PS&E head honcho, “With the goal of Indianapolis becoming the epicenter of women’s sports this world-class sports performance center will be the pre-eminent place for the players to train, recover and push their boundaries. It’s a game- changer in terms of providing the ultimate player experience and we can’t wait for our team to reap the benefits of having an exclusive and unparalleled facility designed specifically for them.”

Raines said the center will offer exclusive fan experiences and a Fever team store with exciting and unique merchandise opportunities. The performance center will serve as a hub for the team to expand their community outreach and engagement efforts.

Currently, the team’s dedicated practice court and training area which were renovated in 2020 are located within the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and considered among the top facilities in the WNBA.

The Indiana Fever President of Basketball and Business Operations Kelly Krauskopf said having a standalone facility will elevate the team and the fan experience – “This elite training center is a reflection of our organization’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that our players have the highest level of resources to be successful. As we look to the future the focus of creating a first-class player experience designed exclusively for the women athletes will set us apart.”

An affiliate of PS&E will construct the facility on the West half of the former Marion County Jail site located at the corner of Delaware and Maryland streets. The City of Indianapolis will make an interGovernmental land transfer to the Capitol Improvement Board of Marion County which will enter into an operating agreement with the PS&E affiliate. The facility will be donated to the CIB at the conclusion of the term of the operating agreement. The Indiana Pacers and the National Football League (NFL) team Indianapolis Colts practice facilities are also located on the land owned by the CIB.

Indianapolis (US)-based the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) of Managers of Marion County (Indiana) was created in 1965 by the Indiana General Assembly and empowered to finance and manage capital improvements.

Observed Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis Mayor, “Last year we experienced an unprecedented boom in interest and attention on women’s sports around the world led in large part by our very own Indiana Fever. Indianapolis is proud to see this significant investment from the Pacers Sports & Entertainment drive further momentum in women’s basketball in our community and continue to elevate our status as a major league Sports City.”

Construction will be led by Shiel Sexton and the Architect of Record is Populous, a global design firm known for being at the forefront of innovation and leading the charge in women’s professional sports.

Indianapolis (US)-based Shiel Sexton is a full-service, employee-owned construction company focused on innovation, expertise and customer experience.

The Architect of Record is the architect or architecture firm whose name appears on a building permit issued for a specific project on which that architect or firm performed services.

Populous is a global architectural and design practice with regional headquarters in Kansas City (US), London (UK) and Brisbane (Australia) specializing in sports facilities, arenas and convention centers as well as in the planning and design of major special events. Over the last 40 years, the firm has designed more than 3,000 projects worth $40 billion across emerging and established markets. Populous’ comprehensive services include architecture, event planning and overlay, interior design, branded environments, wayfinding and graphics, planning and urban design, landscape architecture, aviation and transport design, hotels and hospitality, and sustainable design consulting.

Added Adam Stover, Senior Principal at Populous, “Our team at Populous is honored to collaborate with the Indiana Fever and the Pacers Sports & Entertainment to develop a cutting-edge, best-in-class training facility for one of the premier teams in the WNBA. Understanding and designing for the players, the coaches and the staff this facility will help to lay the foundation for the future success of the team attracting new talent to the organization and providing world-class amenities for the current roster.”

Stated Sherri Privitera, Senior Principal, Director of Women’s Professional Sports, Populous, “At Populous, we are redefining excellence in women’s professional sports by designing spaces that truly honor the unique needs and talents of the WNBA athletes. It’s about a holistic reimagining of the facilities that inspire excellence, optimize performance and elevate the fan experience.”

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