$12 million project involves new fieldhouse, renovated playing fields & new outdoor amenities
The REPORTER
With nearly $8 million in gifts, First Baptist Athletics (FBA), 8600 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, has announced it is undertaking the largest expansion in the organization’s 55-year history of providing youth sports programming for Northside Indianapolis families.
The nearly $12 million project includes a new fieldhouse, renovated outdoor playing fields and new outdoor amenities such as an updated concession stand, family pavilion, and new baseball dugouts and backstops.
Through a gift of $1 million from the Chambers Family and Buckingham Foundation, the outdoor fields will be renovated and renamed Chambers Family Park.
“FBA has been a part of our family for years, and it is a privilege to continue our family’s support of FBA to ensure that this resource is here for future generations,” said Bradley B. Chambers, Founder and CEO of Buckingham Companies. Chambers’ son Nick Chambers began his baseball journey at FBA, eventually continuing his baseball journey at the collegiate level.
Additionally, the friends and family of Denny Barrett have committed more than $3 million to construct a new gymnasium with four high-school-sized basketball courts to be named the Denny Barrett Fieldhouse. Denny was a volunteer coach at FBA for more than 30 years, and all of the Barrett children played sports at FBA and have continued their father’s legacy by coaching youth teams. The Barrett Family is now in its third generation of FBA participation.
“FBA was an important part of my dad’s life,” said Denny’s son, Bryan Barrett, CEO of Barrett & Stokely. “He was involved with the organization for over three decades, and this building is a great way to honor his legacy. He would love the idea of thousands of kids being introduced to rec youth sports in this fieldhouse.”
As a long-time supporter of FBA, Lilly Endowment Inc. also provided a $2 million grant to support FBA’s vision.
The expansion will allow FBA to serve all children who are currently on the waitlist to play and offer even more scholarships to allow families to participate in FBA programming regardless of their ability to pay.
“FBA has been a cornerstone in the community for 55 years,” FBA Executive Director Steve Carr said. “We are excited to offer families in our diverse community a safe and friendly environment for their children for years to come.”
FBA will unveil project details and renderings at the 2023 FBA Baseball Opening Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, following the FBA baseball players parade. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett will throw the first pitch of the season as he has done for the past few years.
Learn more about First Baptist Athletics at FirstBaptistAthletics.com and support the Grow the Tradition Campaign at FBACampaign.com.