Hamilton County Parks celebrates beam signing for new Indoor Archery Facility

Submitted

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation (HCPR) celebrated a major milestone in the development of its new Indoor Archery Facility at Strawtown Koteewi Park, 11909 Koteewi Drive, with a beam signing ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 12, bringing community partners, elected officials, archery leaders, and project supporters together to mark the next step in the facility’s construction.

The beam signing represents an important moment in a project more than a decade in the making. The new facility will provide a year-round destination for archers of all ages and skill levels while expanding Hamilton County’s ability to host regional, national, and international competitions.

“This project started as an idea 12 years ago, when we recognized that Indiana needed quality archery facilities that could provide a place for people to learn, practice, and compete,” said Tony Girt, a longtime leader in Indiana archery and HCPR’s private-sector partner for the facility. “This new facility is going to give our competitive archers a place to practice year-round and continue developing their skills. Indiana has always produced great archers, and this is going to advance that even more.”

The project is supported in part through a grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. HCPR Director Chris Stice recognized the continued support of the DNR and its role in making the project possible.

The facility is also the result of a broad network of public and private partnerships. Stice recognized the support of the Hamilton County Commissioners, Hamilton County Council, Hamilton County Park Board, Indiana DNR, project engineers and contractors, Hamilton County Sports Authority, Hamilton County Tourism, and HCPR staff.

“Projects like this don’t happen without strong partnerships,” Stice said. “The public-private partnership is a key part of what makes this possible. We are fortunate to have partners who believe in Hamilton County, believe in parks and recreation, and are willing to help us create opportunities that benefit our community.”

Girt noted that more than 100,000 people have participated in archery opportunities through the partnership over the past 12 years, including individuals who were picking up a bow for the first time or returning to a sport they enjoyed as children.

The new facility will also strengthen Hamilton County’s position as a destination for sports tourism. Strawtown Koteewi Park already attracts archery tournaments that draw competitors from across the United States and internationally. Recent tournaments have brought hundreds of visitors to the area, and the addition of the indoor facility will increase the park’s capacity to host larger tournaments and provide opportunities for year-round competitions, bringing more athletes, families, and visitors to Hamilton County.

“This is another example of the diversity of recreation that Hamilton County has to offer,” Stice said. “From elementary school students and recreational archers to high school competitors, national-level athletes and Olympic sports, Hamilton County continues to build a reputation as a place where people can come to participate and compete at a very high level.”

The facility will provide Indiana archers with something they have long needed: a dedicated, year-round indoor training and competition space. During the winter months, when shorter days and unpredictable weather can limit outdoor training, athletes will be able to maintain consistent practice and continue developing their skills.

The facility’s competitive opportunities are already reflected in the accomplishments of local archers. Mandy Boggs, a member of Team USA, is preparing to represent the United States and Hamilton County at the Reinhart World 3D Championships in Yankton, S.D. This will be her second opportunity to compete as a member of Team USA.

“This is a worldwide sport,” Girt said. “We have people coming here from across the country and from other countries to compete. We are excited that they will no longer have to search for a building that is large enough to accommodate these events. This facility was designed with those tournaments in mind.”

Stice added, “When you walk in, we want it to feel like a place where professionals and champions are made. It would be like going into Lucas Oil Stadium, where the facility has banners around it with iconic statements that represent our community, inspiring words, championship aspirations and gold medals. We want to see gold medals show up here, and we want to provide a space for that training – not only for the body, but for the mind and the spirit to grow.”

The Indoor Archery Facility will add another year-round recreational and competitive opportunity to Strawtown Koteewi Park, complementing the park’s existing archery range, equestrian center, aerial course, seasonal tubing hill, and educational offerings.

As construction continues, Stice said the facility represents an opportunity to create something that will inspire generations of archers. He concluded the ceremony with a quote that will adorn one of the central beams in the facility:

“May every arrow launched here carry forward the spirit of conservation, sportsmanship, and community.”

Construction of the facility is underway, with completion anticipated by the end of 2026. Strawtown Koteewi Range is located at 11909 Koteewi Drive northeast Noblesville as part of the Adventure Area of the park.