UCLA announces plans for $50 million football facility

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Spaulding West football facility map

UCLA officially announced today its plan to construct a new football facility west of Spaulding Field. Projected to cost $50 million, the project will provide new locker rooms, training areas, offices, and meeting, video and equipment rooms.

The project would help put the Bruins on pace with many other programs in the Pac-12 and across the country. UCLA will launch a fundraising campaign to cover the costs.

“There is so much history here and so many incredible players and moments to celebrate,” head coach Jim Mora said in a statement. “I love the challenge to get after this, and I know our donors will step up. … We talk about family within our program, and now, we need the entire UCLA family to join us on this endeavor.”

The football team’s current training areas in the Acosta Athletic Training Center may be converted for use by multiple sports. Changes could be made to the strength and conditioning area, tutoring space and dining hall.

“We are working alongside our campus facility team to create a complex which complements Jim’s vision for our football program,” athletic director Dan Guerrero said in a statement. “We have seen time and again Bruin alumni and friends change our future, allowing our programs to thrive, and I am confident our supporters will answer the call.”

Last month, the school filed a request for qualifications to begin the search for an executive architect. That request estimated costs to be $30-35 million. There are currently no planned construction dates.

Other Pac-12 teams, including Oregon, Washington and Cal, have upgraded their training areas in recent years to help boost recruiting efforts. The Huskies’ $280 million project included a stadium overhaul, while the Bears’ reportedly spent $153 million on its new Simpson Center. The Ducks’ latest renovation cost $68 million, but Oregon has long been at the head of the facilities race.

Former Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel, who now works for Pac-12 Networks, said recently UCLA was “dead-last” in the conference in terms of facilities.

You can read UCLA’s full statement here.