August 8, 2015
Coaches changed practice times three times Friday due to bad weather
The completion of the Florida Gators’ indoor practice facility is ahead of schedule – and not a moment too soon.
Coaches changed practice times on Friday – the second day of preseason camp – three times due to rain and thunderstorms. Eventually, the team held its first full-squad practice inside Florida Gym.
But the days of dodging bad weather soon will be a welcomed memory.
Workers are putting the finishing touches on the school’s new $17 million indoor practice facility, located on the first of the team’s three practice fields about 100 yards west of the Swamp.
The Gators expect the facility to be available for use on Aug. 22, a day after the team’s final preseason practice at Dizney Lacrosse Stadium. UF originally hoped to complete the project by early September.
“They’ve been working around the clock,” coach Jim McElwain said. “They’ve run three shifts; they’re doing everything they can to get the Gators indoors. I’m just really proud of what they’re doing over there. They’re working their tail off to get us in there.”
UF’s first-year coach said he visited some of the workers recently to give them Gator T-shirts and check the progress of the facility. Once completed, the indoor practice facility will house a 120-yard, synthetic turf football field, and additional space to perform drills. Three camera platforms, satellite training room facilities and equipment storage also will be included.
Every school in the SEC, in some form or another, has an indoor practice facility or projects in the works to build one. Indoor practice facilities have been a necessity to keep up with the competition in recruiting and avoid practice delays due to inclement weather.
UF estimated 30 practices were affected by inclement weather, including the Tuesday prior to the Gators visit to archrival FSU, a 24-19 Seminoles’ win.
The project originally was slated to cost UF $15 million, but the price tag has grown to $17 million. A UF official said the school does not anticipate additional cost overruns.
Email Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com. Read the Swamp Things blog atwww.orlandosentinel.com/swampthings. Follow our UF coverage on Twitter @osgators.
Coaches changed practice times three times Friday due to bad weather
The completion of the Florida Gators’ indoor practice facility is ahead of schedule – and not a moment too soon.
Coaches changed practice times on Friday – the second day of preseason camp – three times due to rain and thunderstorms. Eventually, the team held its first full-squad practice inside Florida Gym.
But the days of dodging bad weather soon will be a welcomed memory.
- Best thing UCF did was the indoor facility.( and the stadium of course ) With all the thunder storms we get in the summer practice outside was really iffy. I think it made a big difference for UCF team.
APANDA
AT 6:27 AM AUGUST 08, 2015
Workers are putting the finishing touches on the school’s new $17 million indoor practice facility, located on the first of the team’s three practice fields about 100 yards west of the Swamp.
The Gators expect the facility to be available for use on Aug. 22, a day after the team’s final preseason practice at Dizney Lacrosse Stadium. UF originally hoped to complete the project by early September.
“They’ve been working around the clock,” coach Jim McElwain said. “They’ve run three shifts; they’re doing everything they can to get the Gators indoors. I’m just really proud of what they’re doing over there. They’re working their tail off to get us in there.”
UF’s first-year coach said he visited some of the workers recently to give them Gator T-shirts and check the progress of the facility. Once completed, the indoor practice facility will house a 120-yard, synthetic turf football field, and additional space to perform drills. Three camera platforms, satellite training room facilities and equipment storage also will be included.
Every school in the SEC, in some form or another, has an indoor practice facility or projects in the works to build one. Indoor practice facilities have been a necessity to keep up with the competition in recruiting and avoid practice delays due to inclement weather.
UF estimated 30 practices were affected by inclement weather, including the Tuesday prior to the Gators visit to archrival FSU, a 24-19 Seminoles’ win.
The project originally was slated to cost UF $15 million, but the price tag has grown to $17 million. A UF official said the school does not anticipate additional cost overruns.
Email Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com. Read the Swamp Things blog atwww.orlandosentinel.com/swampthings. Follow our UF coverage on Twitter @osgators.
