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The $30 million facility will be the second largest single facility related investment in the history of Georgia Athletics. More interestingly, it will the most expensive facility ever built by UGA athletics that will not directly generate revenue to support itself.
Large recent projects of note:
$33 million - Sanford's Third Deck and Sky boxes (2003-2004)
$30 million - Hoops Practice Facility (2006-2007)
$12 million - Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall (1987)
$12 million - Sanford Sky Box Expansion (2000)
$11.5 million - Sanford Railroad Track End enclosed (1981)
$6 million - Sky Boxes Version 1 (1994)
$3.7 million - Enclosing bridge side of Sanford (1991)
$3 million - Stegeman Reseating/Stage Removal/Air Conditioning (1996)
Stegeman has also received roughly $2.5 million in face lifts to the sound system, flooring, locker rooms and lights since 1996. Bringing the total investment in hoops facilities since 1996 to more than $35 million. All of it was long overdue, but progress is finally being made.
In other words, should we as fans continue to complain about the past if we're finally making progress now.**
Right before Felton was hired, UGA announced tentative plans for a $34 million renovation of Stegeman which would include:
- a new roof
- club level and expanding the arena on three sides to allow for larger concourse areas
- more rest rooms and more concession stands
- new men's and women's practice courts
- a 14,500-square foot weight room
- a 15,330-square foot gymnastics practice facility.
- this proposal would *not* have added any net new seats
"The [practice and weight room] buildings would be added to the back of the Coliseum and have priority over the renovation of the main building."
That is a really important quote. By reading that article, it appears that the new practice facility has replaced the announced $34 million improvement. I say that because you can clearly see that we're spending $30 million on items 4-6 on that list. Good.
Hopefully, that means Damon's plans for Stegeman long-term are bigger and more immediate than what he pitched the Athletic Board on as recently as 2004. Good.
pwd
**yeah, I edited that line for content. It just seemed like a shot even when it wasn't meant to be one.
