After years of planning, a nearly $39 million interactive sports facility for kids is opening Saturday at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.
The Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience allows families to participate in about 10 different sports, including an 18-hole mini-golf course, pedal car racetrack and hockey. The 7-acre experience incorporates the history of Indiana sports legends like Larry Bird, Pete Dye, Reggie Miller and Wilma Rudolph.
Todd D. Norris is the associate vice president of interpretation and family programs at the museum. He says by partnering with Riley Children's Hospital, the museum is able provide education about health, wellness and obesity.
"And this is an opportunity to really bring awareness to those topics here in a way we like to do with our family learning, and also it's an opportunity too to give families something to do outdoors at the children's museum," he says.
Todd says what separates the Indianapolis Children's Museum from other facilities is the interactive actors who portray the sports legends.
"And they actually tell their stories to the families, but they also include some of those activities, drills and skills that helped get them to be where they are," he says. "So again the families are getting the hands on with the equipment, they're getting out there to practice and they're being coached by one of their own Indiana legends."
The museum also includes a National Art Museum of Sports and a 25-foot tall tree house. It opens to the public beginning Saturday morning.