Billy Napier, Scott Stricklin share latest on new football facility, move-in date
The first time Florida coach Billy Napier laid eyes on the new $85 million standalone football facility, he told athletic director Scott Stricklin, “We’ve got a loaded gun here.”
In just two months, the Gators will finally be able to use it.
During his appearance on the Gators Online Podcast, Stricklin revealed that the James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center will be ready in late July for the football team to move in.
“We can’t wait for the facility to be completed,” Stricklin said. “It’s coming along really quickly and probably a couple of months away. So sometime in July, late July, our kids be able to get in there and can’t wait to show off all the incredible areas and the video wall and all the graphics.”
Stricklin added that Napier was behind the graphics, which may have been the most notable tweak he made to the facility after being hired. Napier also had some walls moved around to create different spaces he wanted in the coaching area.
“The locker room really didn’t change. We may have squeezed a few more lockers in,” Stricklin said. “But that locker room may be a place that you might have to come on a visit to actually get a chance to see that. It’s going to be unlike any in football, not just college football, any in football. I think it’s going to be really special.”
One of Napier’s favorite things about the stand-alone complex is the dining hall and lounge for all student-athletes, not just football players. He called that a “huge component” that will help the entire athletic department.
Prior to his speech Thursday, Napier said he recently toured the new facility and it’s becoming closer to a reality.
“We’ve been through there,” Napier said. “And certainly, it’s gonna be a great day and when we move in there. A lot of work left to do. You know, I think we’re anticipating being in there before training camp starts.
“But it’s phenomenal. I think the more drywall that goes up, the more that you have a visual of what exactly it’s gonna look like. So, it’s gonna be a huge day for Florida football.”
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Billy Napier on lazy river
This week on the Gators Online Podcast, Florida cornerback Jordan Young discussed his anticipation for the James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center
“We’re pumped. I have yet to see a sneak peak, though, but I definitely want to see it so bad. I mean, I see it riding by every day, but I just want to get in there and see the locker room and everything,” Young said. “I know that everybody’s going to be excited, so I’m just ready to see how everything turns out and how it looks in the inside. I mean, I’ve been hearing we got like lazy rivers and all type of stuff.”
Napier was asked back in January to confirm whether a lazy river would be included.
“I’m not really concerned about the lazy river as much as maybe I’m concerned with other parts of it,” he quipped. “Lot of work to do before we worry about a lazy river.”
