by Fred Seely
Editorial Director
The Jacksonville Jaguars may have an indoor practice facility in their near future.
The team is exploring the feasibility and the cost of buying a bubble-like building to use as a practice facility and which also could be used for game hospitality and special events.
Coach Jack Del Rio has lobbied for a facility to use in the hot pre-season training camps as well as rainy weather.
“It’s definitely something we’re considering,” said Bill Prescott, the team’s senior vice president for stadium operations and chief financial officer. “There are more issues than the cost. We also have a limited amount of real estate here at the stadium.”
Several teams have such facilities, particularly those in cold weather cities. For instance, the New York Giants have a large structure just outside their stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. that is used for practice and, on game days, a dining and expo facility for season ticket holders.
In Houston, the Texans have an air-supported building that resembles a blimp at rest. It covers a regulation-length football field and the interior is high enough to handle the highest punt.
“We wouldn’t want something big like Houston,” said Prescott, “but we want to do it right.”
A sample structure would cost up to $100,000, said a spokesman for one of the nation’s largest manufacturers, Air Structures American Technologies Inc. of Rye Brook, N.Y.
“We’re doing one for the Miami Dolphins,” said the spokesman, “and it’s in the $96,000 range right now, though they’re doing some add-ons like more air conditioning.
“Our buildings are certified to handle 140 miles per hour winds. Miami needs that.”
The Jaguars’ practice field area probably would be too small for a structure that would cover a regulation field. It has three parallel full-sized fields with little space between each and a large structure would overlap.
A likely area would be in the Pepsi Plaza outside the south end zone. It was the original Jag practice field area and has been converted to a hospitality area. Placing a permanent building there also would give the team the opportunity to rent it for other uses, such as the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame luncheon which now takes place in a tent.