Janus purchases Noblesville Golf and Batting Center

Janus Developmental Services Inc. has purchased the adjacent Noblesville Golf and Batting Center as part of an expansion project.

The not-for-profit announced the deal Thursday and closed the golf and batting facility for the season. It said plans to reopen it in 2017.

The center at 17400 Willow View Road, to the south of State Road 32, has a driving range, putt putt golf course, sand volleyball courts and batting cages. It had been owned and operated by Sid Davis and his mother Phyllis Davis, since 1993.

Chris Sorensen, president and CEO of Janus, said the organization plans to use some of the open land on the 19.2-acre property for a new office building, but the size, price and construction timeline have not yet been determined.

Sorensen declined to provide the cost to acquire the property.

Janus provides services and assistance to individuals with disabilities and also operates Hamilton County Express—the county’s only public transportation service.

Sorensen said the number of clients served by the not-for-profit has been growing about 10 percent per year.

“Our facility was not built for the kinds of services we provide,” Sorensen said.

The organization has remodeled parts of its 50,000-square-foot facility several times since moving there in 1993. Sorensen said they determined it made more financial sense to either move into a new building or construct a new office rather than continuing to renovate the existing space.

She said they did consider moving from their location at 1555 Westfield Road, but preferred to stay on the same property.

The new building will used for client services, but specific details have not been discussed.

“We have kind of vague plans, but we have to do a lot more study,” Sorensen said.

The golf and batting center won’t be significantly affected by the proposed building. The facility will reopen in the spring, and Sorensen said they plan to use it as an employment opportunity for their clients.

She said the facility may need some upgrades to make it more user-friendly for their clients, but exact changes will be determined during the next several months.

Funding for the expansion has also not been identified yet, which will affect the budget for it.

Sorensen said she plans to form focus groups this fall and winter that will explore funding options and discuss the details of the project.