Construction start date comes into focus for next big Georgia athletics project
Construction on Georgia’s new outdoor track and field facility on South Milledge Road is being planned to begin this summer, athletic director Josh Brooks told the UGA Athletic Association board’s facilities and development committee Thursday.
A funding request for the project won’t be made at the board’s winter meeting Wednesday, but could come in March or April before approval by the University System Board of Regents at a May meeting.
“We’re close but we want to refine that number before we come to the board for that funding request,” Brooks said. “I can tell you the fundraising’s already going very well for it so, as with most of our projects, we’re trying to stay ahead and fund raise well before we break ground.”
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At least two new grass football practice fields are expected to go at the site of the current Spec Towns Track adjacent to the Butts-Mehre building. They would be near the current practice fields and work would begin when the track program is relocated.
Brooks did not reveal when the outdoor track would open or the estimated cost. A second phase would build an indoor track facility.
The schematic design on the outdoor track facility that will be located across the street from the soccer/softball complex is far enough along that the athletic board will see photos of the plan.
“The beauty of this facility is it will add parking for soccer/softball and for track meets will be able to use soccer/softball parking for track,” Brooks said.
Georgia believes the new track will be attractive to host NCAA Regional and SEC Championship meets as well as youth meets in the summer.
There will be a functional area for hammer/discuss/javelin/shot put that is adjacent to the stadium.
The committee also heard updates about other athletic facility projects:
— Brooks said the second phase of Sanford Stadium’s $68.5 million renovations are on track to be completed by the 2024 season.
There will be improved circulation space in the 200 and 300 levels with restrooms added to the 300 level “which we are in dire need of,” Brooks said. The portable restroom facilities that have been there will be removed.
— The new $26.7 million six-court, indoor tennis facility is a few weeks from being completed. The flooring on the facility built at the site of the old four indoor courts was recently started.
— The $38.5 million softball facility upgrade beyond left field will be completed as early as September and includes a weight room that will be used by softball, soccer, golf and equestrian. The project adds a two-story, 27,500 square foot facility for players and renovates 4,500 square feet of team areas to coaches offices and locker room.
— New LED lighting with color-changing effects have been installed at baseball’s Foley Field and will be ready for the first night game. “Some really dynamic things we can do there,” he said.
The baseball team is already using a new locker room and team meeting room.
The second phase of the $45 million project at Foley will begin after the 2024 season.
— The Butts Mehre “Circle of Champions,” rotunda is nearing completion. It features tributes to Hall of Fame coach and former athletic director Vince Dooley and Bulldog championship teams. There’s a large video board where fans can pull up team highlights and videos of Dooley.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Details on construction plans for new UGA athletics facility upgrade
