South Atlanta News

The Falcons organization announced plans to renovate, expand, and update their training facility in June of 2023. Now, a year later, the project estimated at $25-30 million is complete.

From early construction days to final looks, team photographers Shanna Lockwood, Brandon Magnus, and Jay Bendlin provide fans a glimpse into the two-story strength and conditioning center, brand new locker room, renovated dining services area, and more.

"This ain't nothing like we had before," Grady Jarrett said.

Construction began in full force once the 2023-24 season ended in January. By April, when players reported for offseason training programs, the Falcons had moved nearly their entire operation to the indoor practice facility. This included temporary setups of the locker room, weight room, dining service area, and training center for team doctors and trainers.

Players returned to the facility in late July for training camp. The locker room, weight room, and dining services area were operational by then. Though some construction continued during early weeks of training camp, players and staff were cleared to move in as camp began.

The Falcons' locker room doubled in size compared to its former space with an additional 3,380 square feet. It now features 90 permanent lockers to accommodate expanded rosters.

"This is one of the best locker rooms you're ever going to see," Jarrett stated.

The space also includes a barbershop for players and coaches and updated equipment facilities near the locker room for easy access to cleats, helmets, pads, and more. The expanded equipment room includes storage spaces for helmets and cleats with a conveyor belt for added hanging storage and automated organization for jerseys.

A notable expansion is the two-story strength and conditioning center featuring 14 full cage racks equipped with iPad technology that measures bar speed and peak velocity of reps. There is also a 30-yard track for mobility exercises as well as a second floor with more cardio equipment.

Falcons director of player performance John Griffin said whatever the Falcons need from a physical standpoint they "have the capacity to do in this room."

"At the end of the day," Griffin remarked, "it's almost like these guys are bringing a car into the auto shop and we are trying to figure out as much as possible about the athlete."

This was one of the largest aspects of the project with a 14,135 square-foot extension now housing the entirety of the weight room.

An interesting design feature can be seen in the updated dining services area where photos pay homage to notable players and coaches from the past along an entire wall.

"You see what it means to be a Falcon seeing all the guys who have put in hard work," Jarrett commented on viewing wall decor.

Jarrett further explained that "the dining area is one of best additions" providing players with common space encouraging camaraderie.

"I couldn't ask for a better setup," Jarrett said. "The guys love it. It gives us a common place to hang out together."

The dining hall includes everything from a hot buffet station with grill options alongside salad bar offerings including an ice cream station plus fully-stocked snack areas.