Ken De La Bastide, The Herald Bulletin
October 12, 2023
ANDERSON — The Madison County Council has approved $503,000 for the City of Elwood to build a regional sports complex.
The council Tuesday approved the request of $502,970 from the county’s wind farm economic development fund.
Elwood Mayor Todd Jones reminded the council that a resolution was adopted by county officials in 2011 which stipulated that the wind farm money was to be used in northern Madison County.
When the Wildcat Wind Farm was built in northern Madison County, the developer provided $1.3 million for economic development projects.
Alexandria received $300,000 for infrastructure improvements, and Madison County spent $400,000 for repairs at the courthouse and provided $100,000 to Frankton for water system upgrades.
Jones said a feasibility study showed a sports complex could generate up to $9 million annually in tourism dollars.
He said the city is working with a sports management company to develop a sports complex to include a 50,000-square-foot indoor facility for basketball and volleyball and four outdoor baseball and softball diamonds.
The sports complex would be built on 79 acres adjacent to the Elwood High School football stadium.
The project is expected to cost up to $10 million.
Rob Sparks with the Corporation for Economic Development said officials have been working with Elwood for several years on projects.
“This project is viable,” he said.