Indy exploring private firms to run Lucas Oil Stadium

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It appears the city of Indianapolis is trying to get out of the sports management and convention center business.

City officials are seeking ways to turn management of Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse to the private sector.

As you might suspect, this is all connected to the financial problems that the Capital Improvement Board has been having this year.

The CIB which has been running Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse and the Indianapolis Convention Center has been wrestling with a $47 million deficit.

24-Hour News 8 reported last week the CIB dwindled much of that down through about a dozen layoffs and budget cuts.

However, they’re still seeking big ways to save money.

Now, they and city officials believe that the best thing is for private firms to run Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse and the Convention Center.

24-Hour News 8 spoke with Enterprise Development Director Michael Huber who is heading up the effort and sending out the appeal.

“We’re trying to find more operating savings for the convention center, the stadium, potentially Conseco Fieldhouse and other buildings the CIB runs,” said Huber. “We don’t want to be any less aggressive in terms of promoting the convention business and downtown sports, but we think there might be savings still to be had on facilities maintenance, all the back ground facilities that the public doesn’t necessarily see.”

The city has set a deadline for responses for Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 4 p.m. Formal request s from interested firms are due by January.

The big issue would be how private enterprise would operate the venues and coordinate the many events held each year among all three.