Girls’ sports backers have plans to establish the first-of-its-kind $98 million sports leadership complex near Fair Oaks Farms in Newton County designed for girls in 12th grade-and-under.
Named Marvella, the project is also planning a Title IX museum in honor of Indiana senator Birch Bayh, the author of the federal amendment that prohibited sex discrimination in education. He died in 2019 at age 91.
The sports complex is named after Bayh’s wife who inspired him to draw up the legislation after witnessing her own difficulties getting accepted into college. Marvella Bayh died from breast cancer in 1979, seven years after Title IX became law.
News of the complex comes at a time when women’s sports, fueled by rising attendance and TV viewership at WNBA games and women’s college basketball games, is exploding. Professional women’s soccer and volleyball leagues also recently launched.
“Right now, Indiana is riding a wave of momentum in women’s sports,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb in a release. “It’s important we don’t take our foot off the gas and that we continue to tap into our state’s strength in sports. This is a project to keep your eyes on, and I’m certainly excited to see the impact of this facility on our communities and future leaders, our state and our leading sports ecosystem.”
Marvella is being supported by Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0 (READI 2.0), and it is expected to create about 1,000 new jobs and fuel tax revenue and economic momentum across Northwest Indiana, state officials said.
The development’s first phase, estimated at $38.8 million, includes the construction of a 300,000-square-foot facility with 16 courts and fields. Plans call for full-size turf fields and courts to accommodate basketball, volleyball, flag football, lacrosse, and soccer as the first five sports offered.
Officials said construction is expected to begin later in the fall, which is subject to closing of the first round of financing. It’s estimated to be completed by spring of 2026.
Future phases include a health and wellness center, a women in sports and leadership museum, a championship arena and 12 outdoor fields.
According to a release, Marvella is being funded by a combination of public dollars, private equity investments, debt financing, social impact investments and charitable donations.
In addition to READI 2.0 funding, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed to investing in Marvella through redevelopment tax credits, which provide an incentive for investment in the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized land and buildings across the state, offering up to $4 million to support the project.
Newton County will also offer additional incentives to support the project.
Indiana native Allison Barber, who taught at the Merrillville Community Schools from 1986 to 1991 and also headed its teachers’ union, resigned last week as president and chief operating officer of the Indiana Fever to lead the non-profit arm of the project.
“Marvella is more than just a sports complex; it’s a powerful statement about equity and opportunity,” Barber said in a release.
She said last week if Marvella is successful, plans call for four more facilities around the country.
“We are creating a space where athletes can thrive and be inspired, not only through competition but also through leadership and wellness programs that empower them to achieve their fullest potential. This is a tribute to the legacy of Title IX and a commitment to the future of girls in sports.”
Advisory team members include former Fever star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings, broadcaster Suzy Kolber, and Billie Jean King Enterprises.
“Marvella is a game-changer for women’s sports, offering a place where athletes can pursue their dreams with the resources, support, and inspiration they deserve. This campus will empower a new generation of leaders in sports and in life, and I’m proud to be part of a project that honors the legacy of Title IX while setting the stage for the future,” said Catchings in a release.
The release said Marvella has received interest from national organizations and teams, including the Indiana Sports Corp., Amonte Sports, Indiana Girls Basketball, National Federation of State High School Associations and USA Rugby, to participate in visits and partnerships.
Former long-time Merrillville athletic director Janis Qualizza said she’s excited the facility’s location is so close to home. She said scholarships planned for low-income girls, who can’t afford travel clubs, would be a positive.
“I’d love to see it when it’s done,” she said.
Qualizza, who retired last year after 45 years at Merrillville High, said Title IX came too late for her in high school.
“With Title IX, we didn’t know what we had ahead of us… I didn’t get the opportunity for Title IX when I was in high school. Now, they have everything in front of them.”
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.