Complete UAA Facilities Master Plan Announcement
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida Athletic Department announced significant facility plans Friday, to include program-changing upgrades to its current softball stadium, a new baseball ballpark on the southwest part of campus, and a new stand-alone football training complex in the location of the current baseball stadium. These projects, which combined are estimated to cost $130 million, are part of phases 2 and 3 of the University Athletic Association's Facilities Master Plan.
Original facility plans called for the UAA to renovate the baseball stadium and build a football training complex north of the Percy Beard Track, but after an extensive review with contractors and architects, it was determined that building a new baseball ballpark and locating the football training complex on the current baseball stadium site is a better long-term solution for the athletic program.
"We want to invest wisely in our infrastructure to enhance our student-athlete and fan experiences," said Athletics Director
Scott Stricklin. "And we want to make sure that we are making the best long-term decisions to create championship experiences with integrity for all of those that touch our programs. Our athletic department is consistently among the top five in the nation, and it is our intent that all three of these facilities mirror that.
"With the change in facility locations for both baseball and football, we will now adjust the sequencing for these projects. Baseball will need to be built first, which will allow us to repurpose the current baseball site and put the stand-alone football complex in that space."
Construction for the $65 million 130,000-square foot football training complex will be based on site availability and currently estimated to start in late 2019 or early 2020 with a completion goal of 2021. The facility will serve as the new day-to-day home for Florida football student-athletes and staff. Florida's meeting rooms, locker room, strength and conditioning area, training room and coaches' offices will all be adjacent to the practice field, creating maximum efficiency within the program. Other details are still in the development stage and will be announced later.
"We are excited to know that our national championship softball and baseball teams are getting upgrades for their respective facilities and fans will have a great experience in their new stadiums," said
Dan Mullen. "I'm also thankful for the deliberative and strategic approach we are taking in building our football training complex. We will build the top facility for the University of Florida football program with the number one emphasis on doing what is best for the development of our players."
"Phases 2 and 3 of our Facilities Master Plan will greatly improve efficiencies and operations in softball, baseball and football," Stricklin said. "We've all seen the impact that Phase 1 made with the Indoor Practice Facility, Otis Hawkins Academic Center at Farrior Hall and the renovation of Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and we expect the same in these phases. We are very thankful for the support of our donors during Phase 1 and I am enthusiastic about the momentum from Gator Boosters moving into phases 2 and 3."
The projects will be funded through private gifts, bond proceeds, and UAA investment earnings, with no state or university funding. The University of Florida Board of Trustees approved Friday a bond resolution for $50 million for Phase 2 of the UAA's Facilities Master Plan.
Per state of Florida debt management guidelines, the Board of Governors still has to approve the bond resolution at the end of June.
The UAA has made significant progress to date and already identified funding for $73 million of the $130 million needed for the three projects (including $50 million in bonds, $13 million in philanthropic support and $10 million in UAA investment earnings). The remaining funds needed will be dependent upon the generosity of the Gator Nation as
Scott Stricklin and the Gator Boosters staff continue to involve key constituents to support these important initiatives.
The full Facilities Master Plan, which will significantly impact the experience for all Gator student athletes in all 21 programs, as well as the fan experience in Ben Hill Griffin stadium, will be announced at a later date.
Information on Football Training Complex:
- Estimated Timeline:
- Construction Start: Based on site availability, estimated late 2019 to early 2020
- Goal for completion: 2021
- Estimated Budget:
- Funding:
- Philanthropic Support
- UAA Investment Earnings
- Partners
- Architects and Engineering – HOK
- Construction Manager – Parrish McCall Constructors
- Notes:
- This facility will serve as the new daily home for Florida football.
- Prominent and Visible Entrance
- Florida's new football training complex will feature a prominent entrance that is sure to capture the attention of recruits and fans
- Team Locker Room & Meeting Areas
- Florida's football team will now be housed right next to its practice field, creating maximum efficiency.
- Weight Room
- There will be a brand new state-of-the-art strength and conditioning space dedicated to the football program and adjacent to the indoor practice facility.
- Coaches Offices & Player Areas
- Spaces for all of Florida's football coaches and staff will allow for more face-to-face time with players and dedicated team and lounge space will be inviting for players and recruits alike.
- Enhanced Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Facility with Hydrotherapy
- Florida's training staff will have state of the art resources to treat the student-athletes to ensure the health and development of each student athlete.
- Future Opportunities
- With the daily activities of the football program moving out of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, these spaces will be available for future development to benefit other student-athletes and fans. Plans for these spaces will be included with the full Facilities Master Plan announced at a later date.
About HOK
HOK's Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice has expertise in the design and master planning of high-performance training facilities, arenas, stadiums, ballparks and recreation centers. The group plans and designs world-class sports complexes that are the centerpieces of successful, vibrant campuses and entertainment districts. Current and recent projects include Clemson University's Football Operations Complex; the University of Notre Dame's Campus Crossroads project; Northwestern University's Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center; Little Caesars Arena in Detroit; Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Philips Arena Renovation in Atlanta; the AT&T Center renovation in San Antonio; Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California; and the renovation of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm. Through a network of 23 offices worldwide, HOK provides design excellence and innovation to create places that enrich people's lives and help clients succeed.
DesignIntelligence consistently ranks HOK as a leader in sustainable, high-performance design and technology innovation.
For more information visit
hok.com.
About Parrish McCall Constructors
Parrish McCall Constructors, located in Gainesville, FL, is a full service commercial construction company that provides services in general contracting, design-build, and construction management. We specialize in higher education, healthcare, athletics, K-12 education, government, and commercial construction for public and private clients. Parrish McCall is a relationship based construction firm, whose primary goal is to build lasting relationships with clients by delivering quality and value through an open, transparent process. Parrish McCall Constructors is a longtime supporter, and enjoys a great working relationship, with UF and UAA.
For more information visit
www.parrish-mccall.com.
