The University of Central Florida has broken ground on a beach-themed tailgating area outside Spectrum Stadium, signaling the impending arrival of a unique amenity.
UCF is seeking to shakeup the tailgating experience with McNamara Cove. When completed, the space will feature a 600-foot long lazy river, along with sand volleyball courts, cabanas, pools, a pagoda with food and beverage service, restroom and changing facilities, and decorative touches such as palm trees.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new feature took place on Saturday, with construction expected to get into full swing after the 2019 college football season and be completed by the start of the 2020 campaign. UCF officials believe that McNamara Cove will not only add a new layer to the fan experience and the stadium’s hospitality offerings, but also feel that it could come into play in recruiting efforts. More from the Orlando Sentinel:
Construction on the cove will begin after the football season and is slated to be completed by the 2020 football season. The cove costs will be covered by a $1 million donation from Tom and Stacey McNamara. UCF officials said no student fees or public funds will be used for the cove….
While the school is offering 250 all-inclusive membership packages to the cove, the facilities will also provide an unusual recruiting tool.
“I think it speaks just to the uniqueness of our program and the uniqueness of this university and the experience that our kids have here,” UCF coach Josh Heupel said. “I don’t think anybody else has anything like it in college football. It’s a cool perk and amenity for our current student-athletes and it’s great for recruiting as well, and then on game day it’s the most unique tailgating experience in college football.”
McNamara Cove should be unique not only from a tailgating and hospitality perspective, but also in how UCF could leverage it into an amenity for student-athletes. Much of the area around the stadium has been developed in recent years: besides the football stadium there’s also the program’s arena and ballpark as well as a retail district. So look for it to be open for events other than football games.
McNamara Cove is a GO!!
Can’t wait to break ground on it soon alongside Tom, Stacey & the McNamara family!
📰 https://t.co/wQUaJ2M4Nd pic.twitter.com/qNklDgYkqa
— Danny White (@UCFDannyWhite) September 19, 2019
Image courtesy UCF Knights.