Gophers outline plan for $190 million in sports facility upgrades

University of Minnesota

Norwood Teague

University of Minnesota Athletic Director Norwood Teague wants $190 million in spots facility upgrades over the next six to eight years, including new practice facilities for the football and basketball teams.

The long-anticipated master facilities plan ? which Teague outlined for the university's board of regents on Wednesday ? also calls for the construction of an academic center, a women's gymnastics training facility, a wresting training facility, and indoor and outdoor facilities for Olympic sports.

Most of the buildings would be built near Bierman Field Athletic Building at 516 S.E. 15th Ave., with the goal of creating an "athletic village" in that area, he said.

All of the projects would be privately funded, so the next step in the process will be to conduct a fundraising feasibility study. Teague, who identified facility upgrades as a top priority when he took over as the Gophers' athletic director a year ago, is regarded as a strong fundraiser.

The master plan focused heavily on practice spaces because the university's facilities are overcrowded and lagging far behind other Big Ten schools, Teague said. Most of those buildings are 20 to 30 years old.

Last fall, the university hired Populous to help develop the master facilities plan. The Kansas City, Mo.-based company was the lead architect for TCF Bank Stadium and Target Field.

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