New Locker Room, Equipment Center and More. Updates on Griz Athletics’ Projects

Everybody in Montana Griz Athletics let out a collective sigh of relief after the near completion of the Grizzly Indoor Practice Facility. Knock on wood the Facility is completed with no further delays. The turf was laid down (twice) and now it's time to inflate the dome.

"This has taken some funny terms from the start to the finish, but the big thing we're focusing on is getting this facility up and running for the winter months for our athletic programs and others to utilize it," explained University of Montana Deputy Athletic Director Greg Sundberg. "I think in the next two weeks you're gonna see the dome be put together, be blown up. And then it does take a little time for them to cut in the emergency doors."

So the dome is near completion. What's next?

Grizzly Athletics Equipment Center

"About, roughly, 10 years ago we put together a facility master plan in Grizzly Athletics. What do we need to facilitate getting the best out of our student-athletes? Whether that's training, whether it's recovery, etc. Part of that master plan, a huge piece, was the indoor. But we are simultaneously, a lot of people don't know, but the underbelly in the Adams Center/Washington-Griz Stadium we are creating a new equipment center. And that equipment center serves all of our student-athletes and coaches," said Sundberg.

The equipment center is scheduled to be completed in early 2025.

Montana Lady Griz Locker Room

The new Lady Griz locker room project has been in the works since 2021 and remains at the top of the to-do list.

"We are still fundraising, and one of our biggest priorities even on campus quite honestly, is to get our Lady Griz locker room built, and so we're still continuing. We're narrowing that gap as far as funding, but we're still working hard to raise funds for that."

Down-the-road projects

Sometime in the foreseeable future, the Athletics Department will focus on the East Auxiliary Gym located inside Adams Center.

"We will also be, down the road, fundraising to convert one of the auxiliary gyms - the East Auxiliary Gym. That will become a wood floor and a volleyball and a basketball practice facility only," said Sundberg.

And after the East Auxiliary Gym completion?

"I think once we get those buttoned up, I think we're going to take a big sigh of relief and a little break."

For the full interview with Sundberg, check out the Daily Drive.