From the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association:



Monday, April 7, 2008



To everyone involved with Drum Corps International:



All of us in Indianapolis were disappointed to learn that the 2008 Drum Corps International World Championships were relocating to Bloomington, Ind. Our goal in Indianapolis has always been for the World Championships to be the very first event in the new Lucas Oil Stadium, the future home of the Indianapolis Colts, which has been under construction since September, 2005. The targeted completion date was originally set for Aug. 15, 2008. Indianapolis and Drum Corps International officials agreed to allow for the possibility of an earlier completion of the stadium to accommodate the Aug. 6-9 championships – while having a solid back-up plan for Bloomington. Unfortunately, we learned over the weekend as you did that those dates just won't line up for 2008.



Please know that everyone involved with the building, marketing and managing of Lucas Oil Stadium has been committed to trying to move the completion date up to accommodate and host the World Championships. Although more than 1,000 workers are on the stadium construction site daily, the timing just won't work for this year. We promise you, however, it will be well worth the wait come 2009 and beyond.



But for now, the good news is that our partners in Bloomington (50 miles south of Indy) have been working with us hand-in-hand since we first started considering a 2008 date here in Indiana – just in case. Memorial Stadium at Indiana University is a remarkable facility to showcase the World Championships.



The hospitality communities in Bloomington and Indianapolis, and in between, are entirely committed to providing DCI fans, corps, staffs and sponsors with a very positive and enjoyable experience in Central Indiana. Best wishes to all as the competition season commences and we hope to see you soon in Central Indiana.



Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association

www.Indy.org