IU Indianapolis will build an athletics center

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Just days before IUPUI changes its name to Indiana University Indianapolis, the school announced plans for a 4,500-seat athletic center.

The facility will be located behind the NCAA headquarters. Athletic director Luke Bosso says the IUPUI will house men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball.

“We always want our athletes to have a legitimate Division I experience, and having a nice gym on campus to compete with the rest of the Horizon League will be fun and bring good things to our campus,” Bosso said.

The IUPUI women’s basketball team and volleyball team currently share space in the 1,200-seat natatorium, and the men play five miles away at Farmers Coliseum.

“There has been an artificial barrier for our students to go to those games, so we think bringing them back to campus will be really good for that aspect,” Bosso said.

Construction is expected to start late this summer and the target opening date is September 2026.

The state will pay $89 million of the $110 million price tag, with the stipulation that the athletic center host other events, including high school sports.

“Nobody embraces winners like the city of Indianapolis,” Bosso said. “This can help revitalize downtown and continue to attract people to the west side of downtown.”

The project still needs approval from the Higher Education Commission and the State Budget Commission.