The owner of Back 9 Golf & Entertainment in Indianapolis plans to open a similar driving range entertainment facility in the Villages of Arneo development in Fort Wayne.

Riverfront Sports LLC plans to break ground soon on the $30 million facility set to open in July 2026, according to the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, an economic development organization.

A Wednesday news release did not provide many details on the project, but the Indianapolis facility features a three-story golf range with 75 climate-controlled golf bays, a restaurant and a 550-person music pavilion. It opened in 2022.

The Fort Wayne location in the $180 million Villages of Arneo development would be the company’s second. About 100 jobs would be created.

“The city’s energy and commitment to creating vibrant, community-focused spaces align perfectly with our vision,” Phil Vorndran, president of sales and marketing at Back 9, said in the release. “We can’t wait to be part of the Villages of Arneo and contribute to the ongoing revitalization of Northeast Indiana.”

The Villages of Arneo is a mixed-use district on the north side of the city along North Clinton Street between Brooks and Wallen roads. Plans call for 240 apartments, 60 townhomes, walking trails and pickleball courts, and a host of retail offerings, including restaurants, a fitness center and a mini market.

The project is a partnership between the city and local restaurateur and developer James Khan. Construction began in July, Inside INdiana Business reported.

“Our goal from the start of Villages of Arneo was to bring a fresh, new type of development to Fort Wayne. We are fortunate to have great partners in Greater Fort Wayne and the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership who’ve been a tremendous help in advancing this initiative,” Khan said. “Back 9 is the perfect fit for our vision. They’re not just about golf; they’re about creating experiences that bring people together.”

The Greater Fort Wayne’s Allen County Together (ACT) plan and Visit Fort Wayne’s recent 10-year tourism master plan both have identified the need for more entertainment options in the area, the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership said in its release.

The Back 9 plan has drawn opposition, however. City Council President Russ Jehl told WANE15 that the large scale golf entertainment center is contrary to the low-intensity use under which the Villages of Arneo received rezoning approval and could be a hindrance to nearby neighborhoods.

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