Utah Board Of Trustees Unanimously Approves Proposal For New Indoor Football Facility
Feb 1, 2022, 3:10 PM | Updated: 3:16 pm
The University of Utah football team opens spring camp at the Eccles Football Facility practice fields in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 2, 2020. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah board of trustees unanimously approved Tuesday on a proposal for a new indoor football practice facility.
Utah football put together a proposal for the $61.8 million project that would begin construction in the spring of 2022 with completion in the fall of 2024. This comes less than one year after the south end zone at Rice-Eccles Stadium was renovated. The next step is getting the bond approved by the legislature.
According to the proposal, the new indoor facility will be located just south of the Spence Eccles Field House, which is just south of the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Facility.
West of the Field House is a full outdoor practice field with a 75-yard field south of that. The plan would be to put the new indoor facility south of the Field House going east and west. They are requesting a 101,000-square feet facility, with 5,000-square feet for an entry lobby, restrooms, satellite sports medicine and indoor storage.
The indoor facility would also include a 120-yard, full length football field with end zones, along with a 90-foot clear ceiling. Utah will request an approval to bond for up to $68.1 million, which will be repaid with donations and nonstate university funds.
Utah is hoping to have a new indoor practice facility in the fall of 2024. The first step was completed today with the university Board of Trustees unanimously approving the propsoal.#GoUtes @kslsports https://t.co/lgo6cblh2f
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) February 1, 2022
Why Is Utah Football Requesting A New Indoor Practice Facility?
The Spence Eccles Field House was built in 2004. It’s the primary indoor training space for several athletic teams within the University. Along with the other programs at Utah, several community recreation programs hold their games and events there.
They listed the challenges with the Field House, including scheduling conflicts due to multiple university and community users. Also, the ceiling heights are not adequate to allow effective kicking and punting. Sidelines are not safe for run-offs. It also only has one end zone.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
