Georgia athletic director Greg McGarityThe University of Georgia will have a $30 million indoor practice facility to house future football teams and other athletic teams.
How soon that will be remains unknown.
Following an executive session of the Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors on Tuesday, athletic director Greg McGarity said the much-anticipated facility would be located near the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall football complex. The board approved $400,000 for initial research when it last met in September.
"We have one chance to get it right, and we do not want to compromise," McGarity told reporters. "This building will be here forever, so you have to think that way -- in all areas of design and in all areas of communicating with all the users. That involves a number of our sports, and we want to make sure that we don't make any decisions that come back to haunt us in the future."
Florida announced plans last month for a $15 million indoor facility that is expected to be completed in early September. Once that is finished, Georgia will be the last Southeastern Conference institution without an indoor facility that can house a 100-yard football field.
Georgia's athletic board Tuesday also approved $7,220,000 in funds requested by McGarity for improvements to Sanford Stadium's Sky Club lounge area, the addition of two more indoor tennis courts and a new weight room in Stegeman Coliseum.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.