Georgia Football: The Indoor Practice Facility Project Sets Sail
Georgia football fans have clamored for an indoor practice space going on 15 years. The countdown can finally begin.
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Like Penelope, Bulldog fans waited.
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Now, the anticipation begins. “She’s coming! She’s coming!”
Who is this modern-day Odysseus? What Mame-like figure lurks?
The University of Georgia Athletic Board approved a proposal for the Indoor Practice Facility. The proposal moves forward to the University System Board of Regents for consideration.
“Today’s decision is the next step in the process to build our new Indoor Athletic Facility,” J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity told Georgiadogs.com. “We will now be able to share the impressive interior and exterior renderings of the facility with everyone. From a functional and aesthetic standpoint, this facility will be transformational for our entire athletic program.”
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Functional, shmunctional. The Indoor Practice Facility is about one thing – impressing kids and mommas.
Said Greg McGarity to Seth Emerson of Dawgnation.com, “Mark Richt is chomping at the bit to send renderings to prospects.”
With a 30.2 million dollar price tag and an 80 yard width, 140 yard length, and 65 foot interior height, the structure will indeed be impressive.
Jeremy Pruitt told Cody Pace of the Redandblack.com last November, “One thing [competitors are] going to say is, and that they’ve always said is, ‘How important is football at Georgia if they don’t have an indoor practice facility?’ Well they won’t be able to say that anymore.”
And the effect on recruits so far?
“[Georgia] already has beautiful facilities, but now with the indoor, it’s perfect,” Georgia 2016 commitment Chad Clay (6’1” 180, CB, Peachtree Ridge High, Suwanee), told Bleacher Report’s Zach Barnett.
Half of the 30 million cost will be paid with Georgia Athletic Department funds and the other half through private donations.
For a price, might the Dawg Fan that has everything have his name engraved over the Facility’s entrance?
“That’d be very nice,” McGarity told Seth Emerson. “That is a priority.”
Georgia hopes to raise more than $15.1 million. Georgia will soon unveil the Georgia Excellence Campaign, a facilities improvement program. Any extra money from the football facility fundraising could then be put toward those other projects.