[su_spacer size=”20″] Additional information regarding Georgia’s proposed Indoor Athletic Facility highlighted the quarterly meeting of the University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors on Friday.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Foremost among the new information presented Friday were plans to upgrade an existing facility on South Milledge Avenue — currently used by UGA’s club sports — into the Georgia football team’s practice fields.  These fields would be used by the Bulldogs for three major time periods in 2016:  spring practice, summer camps and fall practice.  After the conclusion of Fall 2016 football practice, the South Milledge facility would then be turned back over to the Club Sports programs in a condition that would greatly exceed its current quality.
[su_spacer size=”40″] During the indoor facility’s construction, the Bulldogs would bus the short ride on South Milledge for practices.  Meanwhile, contingency plans have been prepared to provide UGA’s Club Sports teams with ample space to run their programs during the temporary 1-year period.
[su_spacer size=”40″] ”We think it will work really well as a transitional facility,” said UGA Athletic Director Greg McGarity.  ”It’s not that far away, just a quick drive from campus, and we will have a terrific practice facility for our team.  And our plan is to leave one of the best club facilities in the country when we return to campus.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] Pending a final approval by the University System Board of Regents at its October meeting, construction of the Indoor Athletic Facility is tentatively scheduled to begin in late December of 2015.  It is currently slated for completion by the end of calendar year 2016.  Construction work to upgrade the UGA Club Sports facility on South Milledge would begin in October, McGarity said.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Indoor Athletic Facility will be located on the Woodruff Practice Fields and will be connected to Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall. The connection of the Indoor Athletic Facility to the current facility entails the removal of the Nalley Multipurpose Room and the renovation of approximately 6,000 square feet of adjacent space.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The facility will be designed for maximum functionality and for use by a number of Georgia’s varsity sports.  It will be approximately 140 yards long, 80 yards wide and 76 feet high, adding nearly 109,000 square feet of space.
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