Updated move-in date for Florida’s new $85M standalone football facility

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•08/03/22•

ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators football team has a move-in date for the new $85 million standalone football facility.

The James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center is scheduled to open Aug. 14, according to Florida coach Billy Napier. Constructed started on the 142,000-square-foot building in June 2020.

More than two years later, the Gators are ready to call it home.

“I think you’re losing any and every excuse because, not just the weight room, that whole building is going to be really impressive head to toe,” associate head coach and director of football strength and conditioning Mark Hocke said Tuesday. “I think Coach Napier’s said it before, that that’s going to get us in the ballpark or conversations to where that can be the premier facility in college football. And at the end of the day, if you want to be the best, that’s what your resources need to be too.”

UF players will be able to enjoy the luxury of several amenities in one place, including a cabana-style pool, a barbershop and a recording studio. Moreover, they will have a state-of-the-art locker room, weight room and rehabilitation facility with hydrotherapy.

“I think the players are really excited to move into that here soon,” Hocke said. “I’ve always kind of felt like, man, I just need any kind of weights, mud, sticks, bricks. We’re going to find a way to get it done. But when you have a place like that, how can you have a bad day, right? Show up and do this every day, every day’s a good day.”

One of Napier’s favorite things about the standalone 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.

“I think it’s going to be really special,” Napier said in the spring. “It’s gonna be a great day when we move in there.”

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