George Welsh Indoor Football Practice Facility, University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA
Construction Cost: $13 million
Area / Square Feet: 80,800
Occupancy Date: March 2013

The new indoor practice facility at the University of Virginia houses a 100-yard synthetic turf football field with two end zones and 5-yard run-offs, as well as a 65-foot center span to accommodate kicking drills. Other sports and recreation also use the facility for practice and training.

The field house is situated on an existing football practice field to take advantage of adjacent locker rooms, offices and other support facilities already provided in the nearby McCue Center and University Hall. As part of the project, the adjoining McCue Practice Field was upgraded with a new playing surface, video board, lighting and play clock. A 400-ton sandpit provides a training area to help players develop strength, speed and vertical leap.

The single-story, open-volume facility features a small central platform for viewing by coaches and filming. The building envelope contains brick corners with precast concrete copings and sills; overhead aluminum and glass doors at entrance bays; metal panel and louver infill; storefront and acrylic glazing systems; and a standing-seam metal roof.