Preserving fan access to training camp a priority for Colts as they leave Grand Park

WESTFIELD — Every member of the Colts‘ brain trust, from Indianapolis principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon to general manager Chris Ballard to head coach Shane Steichen, has opened their comments at training camp this week by singing the praises of Grand Park and the city of Westfield.

Words that remain a little bittersweet this year.

The Colts are in the eighth and final year they will hold training camp at Grand Park, preparing to move training camp back to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center on West 56th next summer.

“It was a tough decision to come to, because as I said, Grand Park has been a great host,” Irsay-Gordon said. “It wasn’t a financial decision, it was really more about the operational efficiency and making sure our team can prepare to perform on game day.”

The Colts initially paid the city of Westfield $653,000 to host training camp at Grand Park for 10 years.

And the team has liked the setup. Fans have easy access to the bleachers that run down one sideline, allowing them to get autographs from players after each session and see NFL practices up close.

“It’s a great place, one, for training camp for us to get our team ready, but two, for our fans,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday. “(I) expect to have our fans show up like they always do, and give them an access that I think is really important to give.”

Finding a way to give access to the fans is the problem going forward for the Colts.

When the team looked at the possibility of extending training camp at Grand Park, the amount of work it takes to move the entire team to Westfield for a month was a factor.

“It’s never easy, especially with the relationship we have out here, but also it is a big undertaking,” Ballard said. “It’s a massive undertaking, and we’re going to do some things to the facility. Carlie and her sisters have some ideas to do, and still to be able to get fans out.”

The Colts have a year to figure out how to give fans access to training camp at the team facility. For almost a decade, fans have been able to take a summer day and watch the Colts practice, and the franchise wants to preserve that, although the logistics won’t be as easy as they’ve been at Grand Park.                                                                                                                                        

“Having them be able to experience what they’re experiencing here will remain a priority,” Irsay-Gordon said. “We just have to figure that out, but it’s definitely a priority for us.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Preserving fan access to training camp a priority for Colts as they leave Grand Park