The University of Guelph Gryphons football program broke ground on a new $8.5 million facility on Thursday.
The project, which is being backed financially by former head coach Stu Lang, is scheduled to open in December of 2016.
The two story structure will connect to the existing facility of Alumni Stadium and will be located in the northwest corner of the field near College Ave.
The main level of this facility will house a new, 3,300 square foot, state-of-the-art locker room for the Gryphon football team which will also connect to a Player's Lounge, giving Gryphon players an area to study or relax year round.
The second floor of the building will feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the field with an abundance of meeting room space for the players and coaches to review film and host team meetings.
Also included on the second floor is a large boardroom as well as several coach's offices and a dedicated video production room.
Lang, who served as the Gryphons head coach from 2010 to 2015, has helped turn the Gryphon football program into one of the top university football programs in the country.
The Gryphons boast a regular season record of 28-4 over the past four seasons, and this past November, captured the school's first Yates Cup title since 1996.
The impressive turnaround on the field has been accompanied by an equally impressive upgrade to the team's facilities.
"We want prospective student-athletes to look at the University of Guelph and know that their experience here will be second to none," Lang said in a news release.
"Our vision has always been to create a program that can sustain success for years to come. We want to continue to build a program in which we strive for excellence in everything we do."
The rooftop of the facility will be transformed into a viewing area for football alumni on game days and is accessible by both stairs and elevator.
Expansive renovations taking place inside the existing structure of Alumni Stadium include a new equipment room as well as a brand new 1,000 square foot therapy centre, complete with a dedicated hydrotherapy room which will feature a pair of therapeutic plunge pools.
