Plans for a Jacksonville Jaguars training complex moves forward after the Jacksonville City Council votes to spend $60 million toward the anticipated $120 million cost of the project.
The approval is seen as a first step in the process of rethinking TIAA Bank Field, with team ownership and city leaders seeking to update one of the NFL’s oldest stadiums. The new performance center will allow some functions and offices to be moved out of TIAA Bank Field. The current game plan would see construction of the complex begin in early 2022–after the end of the 2021 season–and open before the start of the 2023 NFL season.
It is based on the same model we’ve seen from other NFL teams in terms of designing training centers, used both for player development and events like training-camp scrimmages and open houses. Three full fields will include one indoor synthetic turf field and two grass outdoor fields, where stands can accommodate up to 2,300 fans, featuring concessions and restrooms. A 127,087-square-foot building would include office space for coaches and scouts and support player locker rooms, weight rooms and meeting spaces.
The design from Detroit-based Rosetti features plenty of sustainability upgrades, as the project is being positioned for LEED certification.
The performance center agreement does show a commitment to the Jacksonville market by owner Shad Khan. It does not address some larger facility issues facility the city and the team. As noted, the team has been pushing a Stadium of the Future plan–which is far from complete–that would upgrade amenities at TIAA Bank Field, including such more shade at an NFL stadium seen as being one of the hottest in the NFL. Khan has also proposed other venue-related upgrades, including a new entertainment district and a Four Seasons hotel at the stadium site. The entertainment district has run through several versions, with The Cordish Companies involved at one point.
Renderings and illustrations courtesy Jacksonville Jaguars.