Tennessee unveils pricey plan for upgrading football facility

Tennessee’s football facility is getting a huge facelift. A $30 million expansion and upgrade plan is in the works for the Anderson Training Center, the school announced Thursday.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2022, according to the announcement. The project will add 36,000 square feet and renovate almost 100,000 square feet of space already on the property.

Checking all the boxes:

✓ Renovated, state-of-the-art locker room
✓ Full-body recovery lab
✓ Expanded weight room + nutrition center
✓ Expansive players’ lounge
✓ Arcade + bowling alley
✓ Outdoor team pavilion
✓ Full-length basketball courthttps://t.co/Eq1OaCN9om

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 11, 2021

“When Anderson Training Center was first built, it was one of the best—if not the best—football facilities in the country,” Tennessee vice chancellor and athletic director Danny White said in a statement. “This renovation is intended to get us back to that level. I am extremely encouraged by the many donors who are eager to impact that process and help get this project moving because they understand the benefits that will result for our student-athletes and football program as a whole.”

The additions to the facility include a new locker room with locker space for current NFL “Vols for Life” (VFLs), a recovery lab with float tanks and cryotherapy chambers, a nap room and an outdoor team pavilion with a basketball court. A player-exclusive arcade and bowling alley is also part of the plans.

It will also have a “car wash” for student-athletes, which takes players through a mud room to drop their helmets and pads off, then a 360-degree shower wall and pool before full-body dryers and a recovery fueling station.

“Since arriving in Knoxville, we have emphasized that the student-athlete experience is at the forefront of everything we do,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel stated. “The upgrades to the Anderson Training Center will give current and future Volunteers the most player-friendly experience in the nation and an opportunity to maximize their development as we compete for championships. Our program has created significant momentum in a short amount of time, and we are grateful that this initiative will be coming to fruition.” 

The Anderson Training Center was built in 2013 and has the football program’s coaches offices, strength and conditioning rooms and meeting rooms. There isn’t a timeline yet for when construction will be done.

Tennessee is 5-4 overall and 3-3 in SEC play this year. The Vols are one win away from bowl eligibility, but are out of conference championship contention after Georgia locked up the SEC East title two weeks ago.

They’re coming off a thrilling 45-42 upset of No. 18 Kentucky last week and are getting ready to take on No. 1 Georgia this week at Neyland Stadium.