Alabama has unveiled plans for a new basketball practice facility with a projected cost of $58.674 million, as detailed in a presentation to the university’s board of trustees on Thursday.
To finance this ambitious project, $36.9 million will be raised through new bond sales, while the remaining $21.7 million will come from a combination of $1.7 million in reserve funds and $20 million in donations from the Crimson Standard campaign.
The facility expansion will add 48,800 square feet to the existing practice complex at the southern end of Coleman Coliseum. This new space will be designated for the men’s basketball team, while 19,000 square feet of the current facility will be renovated for the women’s team, which currently trains at Foster Auditorium.
Men’s basketball coach Nate Oatshttps://967sports.com/ expressed enthusiasm about the upgrade, stating, “As a program, we spend a majority of our time in the practice gym, the weight room, and studying film, so the potential for us to have a new and expanded space for our student-athletes to develop is big for our program.” He thanked the administration, trustees, and donors for their support in bringing the project to fruition.
The renovation plans include new sports medicine facilities, film and team meeting rooms, locker rooms, lounges, and staff areas for both the men’s and women’s teams. Additionally, each team will have dedicated practice gyms and weight rooms, which are vital for their development, according to athletics director Greg Byrne.
“Coach Oats and Coach Kristy Curry are extremely supportive of this plan as a positive and valuable next step for their respective teams,” Byrne told the trustees. He emphasized that the facility is a top priority and will meet immediate needs while supporting long-term goals for both basketball programs.
While no architectural renderings were displayed, Byrne indicated that construction is set to begin this fall. The goal is for both teams to have access to their new practice areas, locker rooms, and weight rooms by the start of the 2026 calendar year.
Importantly, this project will not impact Coleman Coliseum itself, and plans for a new basketball arena remain on hold. Byrne acknowledged the fans’ focus on Coleman Coliseum but reiterated that the new practice facility will significantly enhance the daily development of both basketball programs.
The finance committee approved the bond sale for the practice facility and other projects on Thursday, and the physical properties committee greenlit the construction plan. The full board of trustees is scheduled to vote on these items on Friday morning.
