Georgia is scheduled to have its long-awaited indoor football practice facility in January 2017.University of Georgia officials held a ceremony Tuesday afternoon for the new indoor football practice facility, which is scheduled for completion in January 2017.
The facility will include a 100-yard practice field and a 65-meter track. It has a cost of $30.2 million, but athletic director Greg McGarity said $20.3 million already has been privately raised, surpassing the original goal of $15 million.
Georgia will be the last school in the Southeastern Conference to have an indoor facility with a 100-yard field.
"This is a first-class facility that will enhance our ability to prepare and compete at a championship level," new football coach Kirby Smart said. "I was able to see the benefits of this type of facility over the last nine years (as Alabama's defensive coordinator), and it shows our continued commitment to excellence in athletics here at the University of Georgia.
"I want everybody to understand that we will be good keepers of this investment."
McGarity said he is "very, very confident" that the facility will open on time and on budget.
During the upcoming months of construction, the Bulldogs will practice several minutes away near the school's soccer-softball complex. The temporary practice area contains two full-length natural grass fields and one full-length artificial turf field.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.