As the Fishers Community Center prepared for its official opening, one question repeatedly surfaced among prospective users: Will Silver Sneakers memberships be accepted?

Silver Sneakers, a popular insurance-based program that provides free access to participating fitness facilities for eligible seniors, is one of several similar benefits offered through Medicare plans and large employer insurance programs.

Fishers officials now have a clear answer. Following action Tuesday morning by the Board of Public Works and Safety, the Community Center has been granted the authority to accept Silver Sneakers and comparable programs, allowing qualifying residents to receive free memberships.

“This is an opportunity particularly for seniors…to get a free membership to the Community Center and access all the health and wellness opportunities and social opportunities we have there,” said Jake Reardon-McSoley, the city’s director of Recreation and Wellness.

Reardon-McSoley told the board the city has negotiated reimbursement agreements with three companies that collectively “cover every potential large insurance-based membership on the market.”

Mayor Scott Fadness said demand for such programs has been strong from the start. “I think the number one question we receive at the Community Center, at least our membership people, has been ‘Are we going to have any of these programs available?’”

The city expects it will take time to complete the needed technology upgrades and staff training before the programs are fully implemented. Reardon-McSoley said he is confident the center will be ready to roll out the insurance-based memberships by January 1, 2026.

OfficeWorks, a Fishers-based company, is partnering with MillerKnoll to host the 29th Annual We Care event on December 4 at the Lilly Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis.

The long-running holiday tradition brings together children, volunteers, and members of Central Indiana’s architecture and design community for an afternoon of hands-on creativity and celebration. Participants from OfficeWorks and area A&D firms will guide craft stations where Boys & Girls Club members can make ornaments, cards, picture frames, and other handmade gifts.

“This event is a meaningful example of how a community can come together to uplift and inspire,” said Larry Martin, president of OfficeWorks. “For nearly 30 years, We Care has brought designers, volunteers, and families together to create something bigger than any one of us. Watching the kids light up with excitement reminds us why this tradition matters.”

The effort continues on December 10, when OfficeWorks staff will visit the Keenan-Stahl Boys & Girls Club to deliver handcrafted gifts and activity kits assembled by employees and volunteers. Each kit includes art supplies and seasonal projects intended to give more children an opportunity to create their own holiday keepsakes.

When the restaurant and recreation chain Chicken N Pickle announced plans in March 2023 to open a Fishers location, the news generated plenty of excitement. The project was slated for the plaza area adjacent to the Fishers Event Center and was expected to bring a unique mix of dining and indoor-outdoor entertainment to the community.

However, the project will not be moving forward.

Fishers Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner tells LarryInFishers that the company failed to meet required development deadlines, leading the city to step in. Fishers is now purchasing the parcel originally reserved for Chicken N Pickle for about $1 million.

The property will be held for future redevelopment through the city’s Town Hall Building Corporation and Redevelopment Commission.

Chicken N Pickle had planned to build a facility featuring a restaurant, sports bar, pickleball courts and yard games—an attraction that drew significant interest when first announced.

The Fishers Event Center is marking its one-year anniversary this week, capping a fast-paced inaugural year since opening on November 22, 2024.

The 7,500-seat venue quickly established itself as a regional entertainment draw, hosting national touring acts including Alabama, Cirque du Soleil, comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Leanne Morgan, country artists Megan Moroney and Blake Shelton, and Nathaniel Rateliff. The arena also welcomed John Legend’s 20th anniversary tour and became home to several sports teams, including the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, Indy Ignite of Major League Volleyball, and the Fishers Freight of the Indoor Football League.

Beyond ticketed events, the center served as a community gathering space for graduations, private events, and charitable initiatives.

“Community is at the heart of what we do and why we’re here,” General Manager Mitch List said in a statement. “We are continually focused on uplifting and supporting our community… These are just a few of the ways we support the community who has supported us.”

According to the facility, more than 1,000 donated items and over $5,000 in contributions were collected through partnerships with area organizations. Efforts included:

• Indy Humane: Staff and attendees contributed 837 items ranging from blankets and towels to toys, leashes, collars, and dog beds.

• Kids Coats of Hamilton County: The center collected 228 winter clothing items for local families.

• The Marigold Project: In connection with a sold-out Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats performance, the venue distributed marigold seed packets in exchange for donations, raising $5,445 for the foundation supporting economic, racial, and social justice initiatives.

The Fishers Event Center also hosted graduation ceremonies for 2,055 students from Hamilton Southeastern High School, Fishers High School, and Cathedral High School.

Local artists and musicians were featured throughout the year. The venue’s Summer Elevation Series, a rooftop recording project, showcased eight Indiana bands to an audience the center says reached more than 200,000 listeners online. In addition, 12 commissioned creators produced 80 pieces of artwork now displayed throughout the building.

The center reported partnering with 14 nonprofit organizations to staff concessions, keeping funds within the community, and working with 25 local farmers and businesses to supply food and ingredients for events.

I recently recorded a podcast with General Manager Mitch List about the Center’s first year in Fishers.  Listen to the pod at this link.

A major issue now before the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board is redistricting, driven by shifting enrollment patterns across the district. The number of school-age children is increasing in HSE’s eastern neighborhoods and declining in the west, prompting the need to redraw district boundaries to balance enrollment.

District officials say redistricting is necessary to maintain reasonable class sizes, use school facilities efficiently, and manage the budget responsibly. Superintendent Patrick Mapes has noted that updated boundaries will help control costs and generate savings in the years ahead.

To guide the process, the board hired Woolpert, a national consulting firm. The firm launched its work with online surveys and focus groups, then partnered with district administrators to host two public meetings where residents could review draft maps and provide input.

Woolpert has now delivered its final recommendations for new elementary, intermediate, and junior high boundaries. The two high school attendance zones will remain unchanged.

As with previous redistricting efforts in HSE, the public response has been mixed. Many families are comfortable with the proposed maps, while some neighborhoods have expressed concerns about how their students may be affected.

Making last-minute changes can be challenging, as adjustments in one area often ripple into others. However, Woolpert indicated it may consider limited revisions that do not impact surrounding neighborhoods—provided there is adequate space in the affected school.

HSE Schools will continue accepting survey feedback through midnight on November 30. Details on the redistricting process, including a link to the survey, are available on the HSE Schools website.

If the timeline holds, the HSE School Board is expected to vote on the final redistricting plan at its meeting on Wednesday, December 10, at 7 p.m. at the district administration building on Cumberland Road.

A scoreless battle stretched through three periods and a seven-minute overtime Saturday night at the Fishers Event Center, but the Indy Fuel came up just short, falling 1-0 to the Adirondack Thunder in a shootout.

Despite the loss, the Fuel secured one point in the ECHL standings. The lone tally of the night came in the shootout’s third round, when Adirondack’s Brannon McManus slipped the puck into the net. Indy was unable to convert on any of its three attempts.

Defense dominated from start to finish, with both teams unable to capitalize on several power-play opportunities in regulation or the 3-on-3 overtime session.

Goaltending was the story on both ends of the ice. Fuel netminder Owen Flores delivered another strong performance for the second straight night, while Adirondack’s Jeremy Brodeur matched him save for save to preserve the shutout.

Adding to the atmosphere, the Fuel took the ice in retro Indianapolis Racers jerseys for Racer Night, drawing an energetic crowd.

The Fuel now hit the road for a Wednesday matchup in Wheeling. They return home after Thanksgiving, hosting in-state rival Fort Wayne on Friday before welcoming Cincinnati on Saturday.

Public safety agencies from across Hamilton County and Central Indiana spent this week at Ruoff Music Center participating in a large-scale, multi-day training exercise aimed at improving coordinated response during major emergencies.

The exercise brought together law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management teams to practice communication and response during complex scenarios such as active-threat situations, suspicious objects, and multiple simulated victims. Officials said the goal is to strengthen how agencies work together when real-world crises occur.

Over four days, approximately 400 public safety personnel and more than 550 volunteer crisis actors took part in 12 separate scenarios — the result of 19 months of planning.

To create realistic but controlled conditions, the training incorporated medical equipment, non-lethal training ammunition, gunshot simulators, simulated crowd noise, and professional injury moulage.

Fishers Police and Fishers Fire & EMS were among the participating agencies, along with departments from Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, South Madison, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Hamilton County Emergency Management, 911 dispatchers, and three private partner organizations also took part.

Andrew Newport, regional vice president of operations for Ruoff Music Center, said the venue is committed to preparing for large-scale emergencies.

“Ruoff Music Center is committed to maintaining the highest standards of preparedness through ongoing collaboration with public safety and emergency management partners,” Newport said. “This exercise demonstrates our shared commitment to the safety of our fans, crew, and community.”

Public safety officials noted that the training was planned in advance and did not pose a threat to the public.

We are headed to Thanksgiving week, so be aware of some street closures to make way for two 5K events.  Also, be aware of lane restrictions on Sate Road 37 southbound at the 141st Street construction area.

There is a lot more in this week’s Fishers-area road construction report for the work week starting Mponday, November 24, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Road construction update – week starting Monday, November 24 →

Cody Laskosky supplied all the offense the Indy Fuel needed Friday night, and goaltender Owen Flores delivered a highlight-reel performance to secure a 2-1 victory over the Adirondack Thunder at the Fishers Event Center.

Both teams skated to a scoreless first period, with defense dominating the opening 20 minutes.

Tensions rose midway through the game when Indy’s Jadon Joseph and Adirondack’s Ryan Wheeler dropped the gloves, earning matching penalties. Wheeler also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct call, giving the Fuel a power play, but Indy was unable to convert.

Laskosky broke the deadlock with 4:30 remaining in the second period, then struck again with about 12 minutes left in the third to put the Fuel up 2-0.

Adirondack pulled goaltender Jeremy Brodeur with two minutes to play, and the gamble paid off briefly as Tyson Fawcett scored with 1:16 remaining. But the Fuel defense held firm in the final moments, securing the team’s seventh win of the young season. Indy now stands at 7-6-1.

The Fuel and Thunder meet again Saturday for Racers Night, honoring Indianapolis’ former WHA franchise. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at the Fishers Event Center.

The Hamilton East Public Library will kick off its annual Season of Giving on Dec. 1, offering residents a variety of ways to support local families in need while highlighting a new partnership with Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

The campaign runs through Jan. 11 at both the Noblesville and Fishers library branches. Donation drives this year include winter clothing, non-perishable food, and period care products. Items collected at the Fishers Library will go to the Delaware Township Trustee’s Office, while donations at the Noblesville Library will support the Noblesville Township Trustee’s Office.

The library is also partnering with the Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank to collect shelf-stable foods. In addition, HEPL is working with HamCo Love, a nonprofit focusing on period poverty, to gather menstrual care products or monetary donations through the organization’s online wish lists or Venmo account.

A new element of this year’s campaign is an externship collaboration with Hamilton Southeastern High School. Three students from the school’s Public Relations class worked with HEPL’s marketing team this fall to assist with storytelling, messaging, photography, and social media promotion for the Season of Giving.

HSE senior Claire Robertson, who led the student team, said their goal was to help boost donations by 5% over last year. “We’re so thankful to our adviser, Bill DeLisle, and HEPL’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Kelsey Sweet, for giving us this opportunity,” Robertson said in the release.

Alongside the donation drives, the library will offer a series of programs for families, adults, teens, and children throughout the season. Events include Bling-a-Book for teens and adults (Nov. 29 in Noblesville and Dec. 13 in Fishers), Teen Gourmet workshops, a Stitch-a-Thon, a Family Portrait Day, Riso holiday card-making at Ignite Studio, a Dec. 26 blood drive in Noblesville, and the Heart Connectors program in January.

Additional drop-in crafts and activities will be available at both library locations. A full schedule and registration details are posted on the library’s online events calendar.

More information about the Season of Giving and donation guidelines can be found at hamiltoneastpl.org.