Colts Gab

Indianapolis is still celebrating its win in securing the 2012 Super Bowl for Lucas Oil Stadium as coordinators start to plan for it.  Members of the Colts organization and the Indianapolis Super Bowl bid committee thanked supporters on Wednesday.  Quarterback Peyton Manning says hosting the big game is fitting for Indianapolis fans.  Harshman Middle School was chosen for the rally because it is in the Near Eastside area expected to see improvements as a result of the Super Bowl. 

An enclosed practice facility for one of the Super Bowl teams will be built on the campus of next door Arsenal Tech High School.  Indianapolis Public Schools will eventually operate the building, which organizers hope will spur neighborhood redevelopment.  Work to secure eight-million-dollars in funding for that project will not begin for a few months.  National and philanthropic organizations could be interested in pledging funds, according to bud committee chairman Mark Miles.

The bid package enabling the city of Indianapolis to host the 2012 Super Bowl includes pregame parties at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.  The public party on Saturday could draw 50-thousand fans downtown.  A National Football League gathering is planned at IMS the Friday before Super Bowl 46.  The event is expected to include displays of historic and current race cars, and legends from motor sports.  Bid planners have said there is a legacy aspect, which includes a multipurpose enclosed athletic center at Arsenal Tech High School. 

One of the participating teams would practice there, but the facility could spur other development.  The last eight Super Bowls have provided a direct economic stimulus of up to 300-million-dollars, according to bid committee president Mark Miles.  The committee also promoted the use of the dome on the new stadium and all-weather walkways that will connect the facility to several hotels.

The city of Indianapolis today announced their “official” bid for the 2012 Super Bowl.  The city has the brand new Lucas Oil Stadium set to open this August, and with the new retractable-roof the stadium would be the perfect site for the big game.  “It’s not just another stadium, it’s a very special facility,” said Colts owner Jim Irsay.  The city had tried for 2011 Bowl, but lost to Dallas’ new stadium by a vote of 17-15.  The deadline to throw your hat in the ring for the game is April 1st.  Three other cities, Phoenix, Houston and New Orleans are cities that are expected to try and land the game.