The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse in Lebanon is now open, and provides a wide range of sports programming for adults and youths, including basketball, pickleball, soccer, football, baseball and softball. With a spacious 200,000-square-foot facility featuring basketball courts, 12 pickleball courts, a turf field, and pitching and hitting tunnels, the fieldhouse leaders aim to enhance the sports community in Lebanon and foster connections within the area.
“We truly believe The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse will enrich the sports community in Lebanon for many years to come,” says Mason Hankins, president. “We’re also hoping this serves as a catalyst to bring other businesses and opportunities to the area much like Grand Park has done for Westfield.”
The facility is part of an extensive development called Hickory Junction. The 95-acre, mixed-use development surrounds the fieldhouse and is located off Interstate 65 and State Road 39. Hickory Junction will be divided into four areas: medical offices, restaurants, retail and residential.
GoTime Basketball is The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse’s premier in-house youth basketball program. GoTime provides high-level development opportunities through professional coaching, a state-of-the-art facility, practices, games and training. Hankins and fellow athlete Jack O’Flaherty developed the program from their high school and college experiences. O’Flaherty played at Sheridan High School and Earlham College, while Hankins played at Hamilton Southeastern High School and DePauw University. Hankins says the fieldhouse will offer spring and summer five-day camps consisting of skill development, five-versus-five games, and fun competitions for boys and girls in grades one through eight. The fieldhouse also offers sessions providing an introduction to basketball for children aged 4 to 6.
“For our GoTime teams, we build each one around skill level,” Hankins says. “So no one is getting cut. We have some kids who are just learning and developing, and others who are very skilled and have played basketball for quite some time.”
To meet the demand for the exploding popularity of pickleball, the fieldhouse has 12 dedicated pickleball courts with no fee for reserved court times, monthly league play, clinics and private instruction, tournaments, and social mixers for a monthly fee.
Hankins says volleyball tournament season has already started heating up, with the facility having hosted two significant volleyball events on opening weekend with 15 games per hour. Hankins says both events were a huge success. The fieldhouse staff plans to offer X-Factor Quarterback Academy in the future. NFL quarterback Anthony Morelli created the program and teaches athletes to be successful through hard work, consistency and 100% effort. The academy offers summer camps for young athletes looking to improve their skills on the field. Morelli personally trains the coaching staff operating his program at the facility.
The fieldhouse is also treating kids to stellar memory-making birthday parties and sports-business-themed field trips. The 90-minute birthday parties entertain kids with customized physical activities and sports. Options encompass basketball, football, pickleball, soccer, kickball and dodgeball, with food and drinks included. Families can customize the menu with kid-friendly choices such as pizza, hot dogs and burgers.
“With the field trips, our staff hit all areas of business in a state-of-the-art sports complex,” Hankins says. “We discuss healthy eating, participate in a physical activity, and show them how to run a concession stand. They’re doing math problems with money, giving back change and calculating profit.”
The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse broke ground in late 2022 and opened its doors in February 2024 to much-anticipated excitement from the Lebanon community. Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We’re pleased with the community reaction and involvement so far,” Hankins says. “We’re proud to be the hub of this Hickory Junction development and can’t wait to see what the future of this area brings to Lebanon.”
Sponsorship opportunities and facility rentals are available. For more information, visit thefarmersbankfh.com.