Following its program approval on Tuesday, more information has come to light about UF’s proposed $60 million stand-alone football facility, which is a key component of the UAA’s $100 million master plan for facilities.
The timeline for the 135,000 gross-square-foot, three-story, stand-alone football facility, which will stand next to the Sanders Practice Fields, has its construction expected to be completed June 25, 2019 following a 78-week process.
The architect/engineer selection process began Tuesday and is expected to be completed by Feb. 21, 2017. After a month of the pre-design phase and then once the construction manager selection process is completed, the school will be set to begin the yearlong design phase on April 11, 2017. In the midst of that, the construction phase will begin on Dec. 24, 2017.
Overall, the UAA-funded project is expected to cost $59,961,700, with $46,040,300 aimed toward construction, $4,767,900 for contingencies, $4,670,300 for design, planning and construction management and $4,483,200 for furniture and equipment.
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Among the program spaces included in the project, as listed by UF:
--Entry Lobby: The main lobby will act as the entry point of the facility for current players as well as be the first impression of the Florida Football Program for prospective players. A sculptural stair will link the floors of facility and will be designed as a signature feature of this facility. An environmental graphics and technological component will also be included in the entry lobby. Both of these items will be designed to reinforce the UF Athletics brand while engaging recruits.
--Locker Room/Players Lounge: The locker Room will be designed to accommodate 125 players with state of the art lockers. An open meeting area will be included in the locker room so the coaching staff can communicate with the players as needed. The toilets and shower area will have the appropriate amount of fixtures and the finishes will be designed to have a spa-like feel. The players lounge will be designed to accommodate a multitude of games and activities from pool to X-Box. A sports bar themed nutrition station will be located in both the locker room and the players’ lounge.
--Training Room: The training room will be located on the second floor adjacent to the player’s locker room and the equipment room. The total training area will include eight (8) offices, two (2) exam rooms, an x-ray room, conference room and a new hydrotherapy room.
--Hydrotherapy: The hydrotherapy room will be located between the team locker room and the training room with direct access from both. There will be a total of four (4) hydrotherapy tanks; 1 hot, 1 cold and 2 exercise. The space will have a spa-like feel.
--Strength & Conditioning Complex: The Strength & Conditioning room will be located on the first floor and be sized to accommodate the football teams conditioning program. 60 yard sprint lanes will be located in this area to allow for player warmups, plyometric training, and sprint training. Other new features will include a cardio mezzanine and an NFL/Alumni Locker Room.
--Equipment Room: The equipment room will be located on the second floor with direct access to the loading dock via a freight elevator. This space will be adjacent to the team locker room and the players’ cubbies will feed directly into the locker room space.
--Team Meeting Rooms: Team Meeting rooms will be located on the third level for ease of use by the players and coaches. Also, the position meeting rooms will surround the team meeting room to minimize the time between meetings.
--Recruiting Lounge: The recruiting room will be located on the first floor adjacent to the entry lobby becoming the first area recruits will visit on their tours.
--Football Coaches Suite: At the center of the football coach’s office layout, is the Head Coaches Suite with direct access to the coaches war room. The coordinators will flank the head coaches office to provide efficient communication. Both Offensive and Defensive Coordinators and coaches will have access to separate work rooms as well as be located adjacent to the assistant coaches. The administrators, volunteers, interns and pro scouts will also have new spaces at the third level in the coaches office suite. These spaces will be supported by the video suite, storage and copy room, and coaches conference room.
--Football Coaches Lockers/Staff Lockers: Separate locker rooms for the football coaches and staff will be provided on the second level adjacent to the training room and equipment room. Both areas will be designed to accommodate shower and rest rooms that will be appropriately sized to accommodate the coaches and staff.
--Athletic Dining Hall: A new Athletic Dining Hall will be included in this facility to better serve the over 450 current UF student athletes. While the existing dining hall is undersized and dated, this space will be sized to accommodate student athletes from all sports. Additionally, a full service kitchen and commissary will be included as part of this area.
--Other Areas: There will be other support areas included in this facility so the building functions properly. Those areas include a loading dock, storage rooms, MEP rooms, and janitorial closets. Although these areas are not considered front of house space, they are necessary for the facility to function successfully.
More information about the planning of the new stand-alone football facility can be viewed here.
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