Members of the Florida Gators football team had their first glimpse of the state-of-the-art facility this week.
The James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center at the University of Florida opened this past Sunday, just ahead of the 2022 season. Designed by HOK and constructed by Parrish-McCall, the 142,000-sq.-ft. building includes two floors of high-performance training spaces for student-athletes. Modern amenities throughout the facility support UF’s efforts to recruit and retain top talent.
“The Heavener Football Training Center elevates the experience for Gator athletes, coaches and staff at the University of Florida,” said Nate Appleman, AIA, LEED AP, director of Sports + Recreation + Entertainment at HOK. “The functional design honors the Gators’ rich history and sets the team up for continued success in the decades to come.”
The first floor features a two-story weight room with a running track overlooking the strength and conditioning space. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views into the adjacent indoor practice field. A sleek and spacious locker room includes plush recliners for each athlete and is strategically located next to the weight room and practice fields for maximum efficiency. Recovery spaces include a sports medicine clinic, cryotherapy rooms, sauna and steam rooms, float tanks, hydrotherapy plunge pools and additional rehabilitation spaces.
To prep for game days, the center includes a virtual reality space for game simulation and an all-team auditorium with stadium seating. Conference rooms and offices include state-of-the-art technology, including a team meeting space that features carpeting with football field yard lines to practice plays displayed on the room’s projector screen. Staff offices overlook a nearby practice field.
The facility also has a dining hall, lounge spaces, a barber shop and game room. Light wooden ceilings and walls along with large windows add natural light and warmth throughout the center.
Behind the building, an outdoor pool, palm trees and lounge seating provide a luxurious, spa-like environment. The outdoor space also includes basketball and volleyball courts and a multi-purpose lawn.
HOK’s Experience Design team filled the center with branding and graphic elements that celebrate the Gators and their rich football legacy. Blue and orange lights illuminate hallways and the locker room while tasteful branding punctuates the facility.