Board will consider expansion of UGA football complex

Georgia Athletic Association board members will be briefed Wednesday on the progress of efforts to add a new football-dedicated building to the Butts-Mehre Athletic Complex when it holds its annual winter meeting.

In a conference call with members of the board’s facilities and development committee, Athletic Director Greg McGarity confirmed a status report will be provided on the latest multimillion-dollar project to come on line since Kirby Smart became UGA coach in January 2016. McGarity said Georgia is in the process of selecting engineers and architects for the project. Fund-raising for the expected $50 million cost is already underway.

Since Smart’s arrival, Georgia has built and dedicated a $30 million indoor practice facility and $65 million locker room and recruiting area underneath the West grandstand at Sanford Stadium. Since fall 2015, members of Georgia’s Magill Society have pledged donations totaling nearly $100 million to cover the cost of those projects.

Board members also will be briefed on an upcoming project to improve lighting at Sanford Stadium, McGarity said. The majority of facilities updates will be on construction of a new grandstand for the courts at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex, McGarity said. The board also will be briefed on plans to add a sixcourt indoor tennis facility. — CHIP TOWERS, DAWGNATION