The University of Florida is mulling a round of capital improvements that would include renovations the Gators’ baseball and softball facilities.
Talks are very preliminary at this point–a final design firm still needs to be selected, among other tasks–but the university has some clear priorities in mind. While also constructing a new football training complex, the Gators would look to spruce up the fan, player and media amenities at baseball’s McKethan Stadium and softball’s Seashole Pressly Stadium.
When accounting for all three facilities, the has an estimated cost of roughly $100. The concept was presented to the University Athletic Association on Friday, and officials made their case for why the proposal would be a major boost to the school’s athletics. More from FloridaGators.com:
“Obviously, it’s a very ambitious project and we’re going to depend on our fundraising efforts to help us with it,” UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said. “Really, it’s a commitment to those three programs, those three coaches. The study also includes opportunities to enhance other facilities that are very important to us, but football, baseball and softball are what we’ve put as our highest priority right now.”
- A new football facility to be constructed to the north of Percy Beard Track, along Southwest 2nd Avenue, and buttressing west end of the team’s Sanders Football Practice Fields. The project narrative calls for a large entrance and lobby, plus locker room and players’ lounge with nutrition station, strength and conditioning area, hydrotherapy and training areas, meeting and recruiting rooms, coaches’ offices, and general office and work space. The land is currently used as the throw area for the men’s and women’s track and field programs, which will be relocated. The UAA is currently exploring options for relocation. The current football offices will become administrative offices and the current weight room and training room will be renovated and used for all sports.
- A renovation of McKethan Stadium, home to the baseball team. The new look will feature shade structuring, five new rows of premium seating directly behind home plate, new club seating and an expanded press box, a new second-level concourse, plus refurbished and improved player amenities.
- A renovation of the softball complex at Seashole Pressly Stadium. Existing bleachers behind home plate will be replaced with chair back seating, with additional bleachers extended down each foul line to accommodate 750 to 1,000 more seats; expanded press box, concession and restroom areas, upgraded coaches and players’ facilities, as well as some shade structure.
At this the point, the project’s timeline hinges on several factors, including the university’s ability to complete certain contracts, secure certain layers of approval, and develop a funding plan. The Gators have presented preliminary renderings of the project.