University of Georgia spent $80 million renovating its football facility and the results show the luxury behind the top programs
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Cork GainesMay 27, 2022, 00:14 IST
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
The University of Georgia has completed the $80 million expansion of its football training facility, and the results are luxurious.
The school previously spent $90 million upgrading its stadium and practice facilities in 2017 and 2018.
Some of the new amenities include a modern and sleek locker room, a private players' lounge, equipment room, plunge pool, and nutrition bar.
The defending champions hope the new Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall will help them recruit and keep top players.
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The project, which includes a 29,000-square-foot renovation and nearly 140,000-square-feet of expansion, cost $80 million, with half of that coming from the football budget and the other half from private gifts.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
The facility, designed by HOK, has three levels and a new entrance.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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There is access to an indoor practice field.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
Of course, the star of the show for the players will be the new locker room.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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Each locker has its own seat and a TV above with the player's photo, name, and number.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
The locker room also includes plenty of comfy seating and TVs in a private lounge just for the players.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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The players have their own barbershop in the locker room.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
The new facility comes with a nutrition bar.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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The dining space and demonstration kitchen look like a high-end sports bar.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
There are therapy pools.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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And hydrotherapy pools.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
There is even a uniform display room. It is only accessible by facial recognition, has black mirrored acrylic walls and faux-leather vertical panels that slide to reveal uniforms and athletic gear.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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Georgia's national championships are commemorated in the back wall of the auditorium, which includes leather seating and reminders of the team's conference championships along the side walls.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
The other gem of the new facility is the weight room.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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A double-sided, stadium-style videoboard, reminiscent of the one at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium, hangs in the middle.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the outdoor training fields and fill the weight room with natural light.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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Like the rest of the facility, everything is done in black and red.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
Even the sports medicine area.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK
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Like similar projects at other top college football programs, the Bulldogs are open about how they hope the luxurious new digs will help them recruit top talent, noting that "the modern, amenity-filled space will also support UGA efforts to continue to recruit and retain top talent."
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football FacilityHOK