The Pacers, Fever and Bankers Life Fieldhouse unveiled Phase 1 renovations of the Fieldhouse of the Future project Thursday, which remains on schedule despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
‘The Fieldhouse of the Future’ reveal
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The project, which is separated into three phases over three years, started from the “bottom-up” with many of the renovations in Phase 1 addressing “infrastructure, mechanical, electrical, plumbing,”said Mel Raines, executive vice president for Corporate Communications, Community Engagement, and Facility Operations.
The 25-year lease extension Pacers owner Herb Simon signed in 2019 set aside $295 million to upgrade the Fieldhouse, and Phase 1 was its largest undertaking, using 50% of the available funds, Raines said. Bankers Life Fieldhouse added a larger, center-hung scoreboard, new seating, sideline clubs and suites and renovated the Indiana Fever locker room, workout facility and practice court.
“I absolutely believe we’re the best basketball gym in this country,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment President & COO Rick Fuson said. “And I think it’s become better.”
Bankers Life Fieldhouse is seen at 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 in downtown Indianapolis.
A renovated suite area is seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
A Pacers’ logo adorns the wall in a renovated suite that is seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Settings to sit and eat in a suite are seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. TV and video monitors are seen throughout the facility so as not to miss the event that is going on.
Tamika Catchings, former Indiana Fever player and presently the Vice President, Fever Basketball Operations and General Manager, walks onto the Salesforce court, the new Fever practice court, during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
The phrase “We Grow Basketball,” is seen throughout Bankers Life Fieldhouse and is also seen, here, on the new Fever practice court during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Tamika Catchings, left, former Indiana Fever player and presently the Vice President, Fever Basketball Operations and General Manager, listens as Fever Coach Marianne Stanley talks about the renovated team areas seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Tamika Catchings, left, former Indiana Fever player and presently the Vice President, Fever Basketball Operations and General Manager, listens as Fever Coach Marianne Stanley talks about the renovated team areas seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
A suite looks out onto the court, as seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The seats in the suite are especially highlighted during the tour for their comfort.
A suite looks out onto the court, as seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The seats in the suite are especially highlighted during the tour for their comfort.
A suite looks out onto the court, as seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The large new LED center-hung scoreboard is especially popular from the recent renovations.
A suite looks out onto the court, as seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The seats in the suite are especially highlighted during the tour for their comfort.
The food and bar area of a suite is seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
The phrase “We Grow Basketball,” is seen throughout Bankers Life Fieldhouse and is also seen, here, in a stairwell during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
The new Fever practice court, Salesforce court, is seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Tamika Catchings, former Indiana Fever player and presently the Vice President, Fever Basketball Operations and General Manager, applauds as she sends the media off to see her favorite part of the renovated team areas, the locker rooms, during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Fever training room, part of the renovated team areas seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Fever hydrotherapy room, part of the renovated team areas seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is part of the Fever locker room, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the renovated Fever locker room seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the renovated Fever locker room seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Fever’s workout room, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Fever’s workout room, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Fever’s team meeting room, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Fever’s team meeting room, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the renovated Fever locker room seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. In the corner is the team’s 2012 Champions trophy from the Women’s National Basketball Association.
This is the Fever’s workout room, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Fever’s workout room, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
The walls are adorned with inspirational phrases, including this “Fever Basketball: Comit, Compete. Contribute” wording seen in the Fever locker room area during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
A photo of former Indiana Pacer Reggie Miller is among the historic photos seen in the Courtside Club during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Giant TV and video monitors are seen throughout the Courtside Club during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Courtside Club, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the basketball court with a large new LED center-hung scoreboard with more than 3,350 square feet of video area, two LED rings and screens underneath, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Historic photos line the wall above booths in the Courtside Club, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Courtside Club, with TVs everywhere seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the Courtside Club, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This new ADA area, left, becomes a great vantage point in the arena, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
TV screens play above the bar in the new PointsBet Hardwood Club during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the new PointsBet Hardwood Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The Fieldhouse chose to work towards offering different experiences from which patrons could choose.
This is the new PointsBet Hardwood Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The Fieldhouse chose to work towards offering different experiences from which patrons could choose. At right, here is one of the historic photos seen in this club, of different basketball courts. This one is the Hoosier Gym, Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
This is the new PointsBet Hardwood Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The Fieldhouse chose to work towards offering different experiences from which patrons could choose. Even the ceiling has an under-the-bleachers feel as if you are under hardwood bleachers.
This is the new PointsBet Hardwood Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The Fieldhouse chose to work towards offering different experiences from which patrons could choose.
This is the 67 Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The number 67 refers to the year of the team’s start, 1967. This area had been a storage area, a non-public space. Now it is one of the club spaces for patrons. Above the bar Bobby “Slick” Leonard is referred to. He was with the organization almost since its start.
This is the 67 Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The number 67 refers to the year of the team’s start, 1967. This area had been a storage area, a non-public space. Now it is one of the club spaces for patrons. Above the bar Bobby “Slick” Leonard is referred to. He was with the organization almost since its start.
This is the 67 Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The number 67 refers to the year of the team’s start, 1967. This area had been a storage area, a non-public space. Now it is one of the club spaces for patrons. The Fieldhouse chose this area to have a speakeasy feel, offering different experiences from which patrons could choose.
This is the 67 Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The number 67 refers to the year of the team’s start, 1967. This area had been a storage area, a non-public space. Now it is one of the club spaces for patrons. A photo is seen, at right, including Bobby “Slick” Leonard, who was with the organization almost since its start.
This is the 67 Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The number 67 refers to the year of the team’s start, 1967. This area had been a storage area, a non-public space. Now it is one of the club spaces for patrons. The Fieldhouse chose this area to have a speakeasy feel, offering different experiences from which patrons could choose.
This is the 67 Club seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The number 67 refers to the year of the team’s start, 1967. This area had been a storage area, a non-public space. Now it is one of the club spaces for patrons.
The main basketball arena has access points on all sides going to different sideline and courtside clubs, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
An Indiana state logo with a Pacers basketball logo is seen on the basketball court floor during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the main basketball court and arena, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
This is the main Pacers basketball court, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
The phrase “We Grow Basketball,” is seen throughout Bankers Life Fieldhouse and is also seen, here, on main arena basketball court during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and COO Rick Fuson, center, shows one of the Star Rooms in the ILA Star Compound for acts that perform at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. This compound is now right outside the stage area where the performers will enter the stage.
This is one of the Star Rooms in the ILA Star Compound for acts that perform at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. This compound is now right outside the stage area where the performers will enter the stage.
This is the Star Lounge in the ILA Star Compound for acts that perform at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. This compound is now right outside the stage area where the performers will enter the stage.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and COO Rick Fuson, center, shows boards where performers can sign when they are at this facility, in the ILA Star Compound which is for acts that perform at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, seen during the Fieldhouse of the Future Phase 1 Renovations Reveal and Media Walkthrough Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. These boards can be removed and placed in other locations and can be replaced for new performers.
57/57 SLIDES
The work on Phase 1 began in March, but without understanding the scope of the disruptions COVID-19 would cause, the renovations quickly took a two-week hiatus, Raines said. The first project they would start on was renovating the Salesforce court where the Fever practice, and moving it up a level.
“We didn’t want to take the practice court out if we couldn’t build it back in when we’d need it,” Raines said. So, they took a pause. They evaluated their supply-chain issues and adjusted their schedule. But since they returned, the pandemic and its impact have not caused any delay to the renovations.
The 350 construction workers on the project wore masks, and in the event of a positive test among them, contact tracing identified those who needed to be isolated, allowing work to continue.
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The scoreboard was not initially planned in the Phase 1 renovations, but the postponement of the 2020-21 NBA season’s start to late December, allowed it to be tacked onto the first phase. Additionally, any things that were moved about the time of the start of Phase 1 in March were backloaded and completed due to the extra time.
Many of the first renovations appeal to the “exclusivity” of the experience for ticket-holders of premium seating, said Todd Taylor, executive vice president, chief sales and marketing officer. Additions include the ‘67 club, a storage space-turned speakeasy-type club (named after the year the team was founded); and the Hardwood club, an upscale sports bar. They will serve ticket-holders in the first five rows of the arena with all-inclusive food and drink. The suites were modeled to give a dinner party feel with an island table, a bar area and, of course, plush stadium seats for watching the game.
In assition to the premium seats, ADA compliant seats were added courtside and standing decks will be added to allow people to gather.
“The building, while it may have the same capacity, the way that we get there might be a bit different,” Taylor said.
In the underbelly of the stadium, the six Star rooms for when the stadium is converted into a concert venue were consolidated into a single space with retractable walls. The Fever practice court was moved so it could share a level with its weight room and locker room. The Fever’s locker room — which was a converted hockey locker room, Fuson said — was expanded.
Raines said the project would take advantage of closures in Summer 2021 and Summer 2022 to continue working on adding infrastructure, but for the next 18 months, there will always be something to do no matter if the stadium is open or closed. Raines said they would begin working on “pardon our dust” projects, which will take place while the stadium is in use.
The Phase 2 projects will start to show some changes to the venue’s exterior, beginning with the tearing down of the parking garage, which will be transformed into the heart of a new plaza adjacent to the stadium.
“I never thought I’d live the day to see it be better,” Fuson said, “but it’s a new building and it’s really, really going to be strong when we’re done.”
Follow IndyStar reporter Michael McCleary on Twitter @mikejmccleary.