In a letter to fans, Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir says he is optimistic about his plan for a new stadium and that support for the team remains strong.

On Thursday, a key lawmaker shelved the Eleven’s request amid questions about the plan’s estimate of projected revenues. Indianapolis Star political columnist Matthew Tully is among those throwing his support behind the proposed stadium.

Here is the complete text of the letter sent by Ozdemir:

“The momentum behind Indy Eleven is growing every single day as Indiana’s newest professional sports team moves closer and closer towards opening day at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium on April 12. The Indy Eleven staff is working tirelessly to put the pieces in place to make our Inaugural Season a success at every level, and the team is thrilled to be back in Indiana for good to finally start playing games in front of the best fans in the North American Soccer League.

“Yesterday’s news that we did not receive the go ahead during the current Indiana General Assembly session to proceed with a projected multi-purpose stadium in downtown Indianapolis will not slow the momentum of this project. Indy Eleven is very grateful for the warm reception received during the current short legislative session, which allowed us to start the lengthy process of securing a facility that will greatly add to the sports and entertainment landscape of Indiana. The stadium proposal is based on a solid economic analysis, and we will use the time before the next session to share our consultant’s projected figures for the multi-use venue, provide transparency in the projections, answer all questions fully and attempt to eliminate any confusion.

“With that said, we are also grateful that members of the Indiana General Assembly welcomed our vision for this new venue that would fill a void in the city’s stadium portfolio, asking important questions and gathering information about the proposed facility. Indy Eleven is encouraged to continue the process throughout our upcoming season and into the next legislative session in January 2015, continuing discussions with legislators and citizens across the state to prove why this project will benefit millions of Hoosiers, including the hundreds of thousands of people that make up the state’s strong and ever-growing soccer community.

“It is the constant, passionate support of soccer fans and friends throughout Indiana, along with those who recognize the economic benefits that such an asset would bring to the region and the state, that got us this far. By committing to 7,000 season tickets months before a ball was kicked, our fans planted the seed that soccer could take hold in Indiana; by nearly selling out our home opener just two days after tickets went on sale to the public you continued to show the appetite for soccer in Indiana is strong. We remain highly optimistic that this outstanding show of support will continue to grow – and we will use this momentum to further answer any outstanding questions our leaders in state government might yet have.

“As we prepare to launch the inaugural season of what promises to be the highest attended team in our league, we offer our sincere appreciation to the fans, Corporate and Community Partners and state and local government leaders that have embraced Indy Eleven and the presence of professional soccer in Indiana.”

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