More details on next UGA football facility project, estimated price on Stegeman video board

Posted by author February 18, 2025 Football

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Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 on the next Georgia football facility project that will add more than just additional practice fields for Kirby Smart’s program.

Along with two additional full-sized football fields for the project located at the current Spec Towns Track, plans also call for a parking lot to be added that will accommodate at least 150 spaces with access from South Lumpkin Street, as well as a building to house a sports medicine treatment area, hydration station and another for field storage and support spaces for practice equipment.

Smart sold the athletic board on his desire to have side-by-side natural grass practice fields in 2023.

“It’s really going to be a massive improvement — not only for the way we practice and operate, but being able to add roughly 150 parking spots dedicated to football which will really be a big bonus for them,” athletic director Josh Brooks told the UGA athletic facilities and development committee last week. “Every parking spot is so crucial on this campus.”

Georgia is currently in the “design process,” for the project, Brooks said. A price tag for the project has yet to be revealed.

The track programs will have a new home at the new $59.8 million track and field complex on South Milledge Avenue, across the street from the soccer/softball complex.

The foundation of the track grandstand is under construction and the project is expected to be completed in time to host its first meet at the new facility in the spring of 2026.

The athletic board won’t be asked to approve any new spending at its next meeting Feb. 25.

Plans for a new, giant videoboard and scoreboard for Stegeman Coliseum were delayed with the mounting expenses for NIL with revenue share for athletes expected to start in July.

Now it isn’t expected to be added until likely before spring of 2027.

Brooks said that could be in the $15 to $20 million range.

“It’s the next big project,” said Brooks, who has seen Georgia complete projects for the baseball and softball stadiums for this season. “As we’re entering this new world related to expenses related to NIL, we are in great position facility-wise.”

UGA is interviewing architecture firms for a master plan for Sanford Stadium which completed $68.5 million in south side upgrades before the 2024 season to the football stadium.

Georgia’s last Sanford master plan was completed in May of 2009.

“We’re looking at that being a 5, 10, 15, 20-year plan,” Brooks said. “It may be done in small chunks, but it’s all going to build off of each other where everything is going to be part of a coordinated plan.”

According to a request for qualifications, areas of study include concourse widening, additional premium areas and seating, added restrooms and concessions and “new infrastructure for future expansions/renovations.”

Brooks also told the facilities committee that softball and soccer are adding LED lights “with the color changing effect,” that have already been used at Sanford Stadium and Foley Field. Stegeman Coliseum previously had funding approved to add LED lights and a new sound system this spring.