New Iowa football complex takes shape

IOWA CITY — Work crews continue to buzz inside Iowa's new practice facility with eyes on finishing primary construction by the end of the month.

The second phase of the $55 million total project nears its end with locker rooms, meeting rooms, offices and training areas taking shape. The 110,000-square foot facility lacks the final cosmetic touches, but it's nearly complete from the brick exterior to the 22-inch cushioned seats emblazoned with the Tiger-Hawk logo.

'From an efficiency perspective, everything is under one roof,' said Jane Meyer, Iowa's senior associate athletics director. 'When you look at this, the players when they come in, they have their meeting space, they have their locker room, all in one place. To be able to go in and out of an indoor facility or to come in at any hour to hone their skills, I think that it's really important that we make this as efficient as possible for our student-athletes. I think that's what we're gaining from this particular facility.'

Funding for the building was raised privately without bonding. It has a LEED silver rating in sustainability. The football program will move in Sept. 29-30, during the team's first idle week.

The 20,000-square foot strength-and-conditioning area (up from 8,000-square feet) will feature 16 racks, a cardio area and a nutrition bar, which was worked into the project late. The weightlifting equipment is new. All lockers are 36 inches wide and have two locks.

The main entrance will have one wall filled with history, another recognizing donors and a third boasting a trophy case. A large video wall also is planned.

'Initially we looked at just renovations with what we have now, but I'm so glad we reconsidered, went out and raised the money and did it the right way,' Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. 'It's more than just the next five years, but (it's for) decades down the road.'

The facility has an assortment of names. The complete building is named the Stew and Lenore Hansen Football Performance Center. The second phase is named the Jacobson Building, while the first phase (the indoor practice field) remains unnamed. The new facility, the outdoor Kenyon Practice Facility, the current football building and Kinnick Stadium all comprise the Hayden Fry Football Complex.

Officials expected the first phase to cost $20 million and came under budget. The second phase is budgeted at $35 million and expects to hit the target.

It's undetermined how the department will use the Jacobson Building once football moves into the new complex.

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