On July 22, 1997 construction of Conseco Fieldhouse began. That day sparked the beginning of a very important addition to the Indianapolis area. A projected $175 million dollars would be required to complete this new, highly technalogical sports arena. As time and the building would progress the costs would rise to $183 million due to unseen soil contamination clean up on the site. Even with this rise in costs the construction continued and as we will show you this state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility is worth all the costs. Naming rights for the Pacers new home belong to Conseco, Inc. Headquartered in Carmel, Ind. Conseco (NYSE:CNC) is one of Americas leading sources for insurance, investment and lending projects. Through its subsidiaries and a nationwide network of insurance agents and financial dealers, Conseco provides solutions for both wealth protection and wealth creation to more than 12 million customers. (cfhhistory) From the outside this simple redbrick, limestone and concrete building leads to a spacious, barrel-vault roof like most traditional fieldhouses. A glass roof at the top of Conseco Fieldhouse allows a beautiful view of the city skyline from within this structure. Inside the sponsor pavilions, concessions stands and general feeling follow Indianas rich basketball tradition. Combine those elements with memorabilia and this building is the worlds first fully-themed professional sports and entertainment venue according to the buildings design firm, Ellerbe Becket Sports and Entertainment. (Cfhhistory) Costs and ContractsNovember 6, 1999 the doors opened for the first time to Pacer fans. Fans roamed the corridors and were able to see how the over-budget, 15 story high, $183 million dollar facility was going to pay off for Indianapolis. Of the $183 million the Pacers are responsible for $57 million. This comes from their pockets of team revenue. The city, through local tax, will cover $79 mi...
