Details for Alabama's proposed $58 million basketball training facility revealed

Details for Alabama’s new basketball training and player development facility are here.

The proposed project was presented during a University of Alabama System Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday. It includes an approximately 48,800-square-foot expansion in the southeast corner of Coleman Coliseum and a renovation of approximately 19,000 square feet of existing space in Coleman, which is currently home to the men’s team.

The project will entail constructing a new basketball training and player development facility to include new sports medicine spaces, film and team meeting rooms, locker rooms, lounges and coaching staff areas for both men’s and women’s basketball programs, as well as a new practice facility and weight room for the men’s team. The current men’s practice facility will be renovated to provide a dedicated, enhanced space for the women’s team.

The total project is projected to cost $58,674,625. Funding for the project includes new bond funding (36,949,625) and UA reserves and gifts ($21,725,000). The preferred architect is Davis Architects, Inc., out of Birmingham, Alabama. Populus Group was a consultant service in their contract, a national sports arena design firm with a history in this department.

The location of the approximately 48,800-square-foot expansion in the southeast corner of Coleman Coliseum, for anyone wondering. pic.twitter.com/Gi9RWcJS2X

— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) June 6, 2024

Ground is currently expected to be broken this fall with hopes that both teams will be able to use the new spaces during the 2026 season. Coleman Coliseum will be able to operate its normal activities outside of the construction area, said Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne.

“The expansion and renovation of the existing footprint in the southeast corner of Coleman Coliseum … will provide the optimal space for both our men’s and women’s basketball programs to train and develop,” Byrne said. “Each team will have a dedicated practice gym and weight room space, which is where our programs spend the majority of their time. Meaning this project will have an incredible impact on both of our basketball programs.

“Coach (Nate) Oats and Coach (Kristy) Curry are extremely supportive of this plan as a positive and valuable next step for their respective teams, and they’ve both expressed this is the highest priority at this time and the facility will meet an immediate need as we continue to work towards long-term priorities for our basketball programs.”

The UA System Board of Trustees will meet again on Friday, June 6, to vote on the facility.

Statements from Alabama coaches

“As a program, we spend a majority of our time in the practice gym, the weight room and studying film, so the potential for us to have a new and expanded space for our student-athletes to develop is big for our program. We have tremendous support from our administration, which has played a role in our success, and I want to thank the Board of Trustees, Interim Chancellor Trant and President Bell as well as Greg Byrne and Shane Lyons for bringing this forward. I’d also like to thank our donors and fans for all they do for us.” – Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats

“The potential for us to move all of our day-to-day operations to Coleman Coliseum with this new training & player development space is a game-changer for our program, and we appreciate the Board of Trustees, Interim Chancellor Trant and President Bell for the consideration. The vision and belief of Greg Byrne, Dr. Karin Lee and all of our administration continues to be second to none, as is the support of our donors and fans. We are excited to see what’s to come for the future of Alabama Basketball.” – Alabama women’s basketball head Coach Kristy Curry

Not a member, Tide fans? Join BOL today!

Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $1! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!