The Gophers showed off their brand new $166 million Athletes Village to the media during a tour Saturday morning. Every aspect of the new facility provides upgrades for the athletic programs on campus. The most notable improvement occurred with brand new football and basketball complexes. Minnesota’s basketball programs have three levels of the building and football has a separate complex with meeting rooms, an indoor practice facility and a lounge area. The wrestling program will now renovate the former basketball complex and volleyball will occupy some of their office space.
If you take a stroll through the building, the “block M” is a key symbol and offers an enticing look into what the University of Minnesota has to offer through branding. The football complex specifically featured the most graphics and a strong tie to the “Row the Boat” culture. The Athletes Village also features an academic center, lounges and career development counseling to help student-athletes beyond their playing careers. For nutrition, the players have access to a cooking staff and dining area that seats 325. The special service is available during weeknights and allows players to follow their individual nutrition programs.
The building will be a major recruiting tool, showcasing the beauty of Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota campus. According to a spokesman, the University plans on providing tours for the public at some point and those details will be released at a later date.
For a full look inside the Land O’ Lakes Performance Center, click the image below for a complete photo gallery! For the best experience, click the three circles in the top right corner of the screen and select slideshow.
