The Bucs have begun the countdown toward their new state of the art training facility. When it is completed in 2006, this innovative complex may be the very best in the National Football League.
The team hopes to move into its new digs adjacent to Raymond James Stadium when it breaks training camp in mid August.
The expansive, 145,000-square-foot facility will more than triple the team's space at antiquated One Buc Place. Features include locker and weight rooms nearly twice the size of the current ones, a training room nearly five times as big, a spacious players' lounge and a 4,000-square-foot team auditorium.
Among the new features that do not exist at One Buc Place are a team dining room and kitchen, a coach's studio and draft room.
The project, originally estimated to cost $35-million, is being paid for by team owner Malcolm Glazer. The Glazer family has not used $12-million in public money earmarked for the facility in 1996, according to Bucs chief operating officer Eric Land.
The Bucs even sent Coach Gruden over to give a motivational speech to the workers, in order to keep them on schedule for an August deadline.
According to Coach Gruden,
"When it's all said and done it might be one of the greatest things to ever
happen in this franchise's history," Gruden said. "I know what the new stadium
did for us and I have a strong feeling about what the new facility will do for
us."
"Our players will love it."
This new Bucs' training facility is 30 years over due, since some have said that One Bucs Place complex was less than state-of-the-art when it opened. "We see rodents, cockroaches with muscles as big as mine." Says Michael Pittman, refering to One Buc Place. Anyway, I will try to post pictures of it in August when the Grand Opening occurs. I am told that season ticket holders get a tour. Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
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