by Caleb Fort
Daily Lobo
UNM broke ground Wednesday on a $6.4 million indoor football practice facility.
Although the football team can usually practice outside, it's still important to have the option to play indoors, said Paul Krebs, director of athletics.
"There were a lot of people saying, 'Why do you need an indoor practice facility in New Mexico?'" he said. "This morning and the weather were a great example of why."
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The New Mexico Legislature paid for the 86,100-square-foot, one-field building.
To save money on utilities, the building will not have air conditioning or heating. It is scheduled to be completed June 15.
The building will be built on top of an outdoor practice field near the Tow Diehm Athletic Facility.
Rocky Long, head coach of the men's football team, said the team misses too many practices every fall because of thunderstorms.
"To any sport, if you miss four or five workouts, it really sets you back," he said.
The team also missed two practices for the New Mexico Bowl because of snow, he said.
The 70-foot-tall building will help recruit players, Long said.
"Facilities bring 18-year-olds to campus," he said. "You have to try to keep up with the people you want to beat."
ASUNM Sen. Evan Harris said the state should have spent the money on something more students could use.
"I think it sounds like students just got gypped out of $6.4 million," he said.
Student Al NÖir Lara said the football team does not deserve the facility.
"You have two programs that aren't doing that well - education and football," he said. "It seems like education should have been more important."
Nick Geyer, a member of UNM's golf team, said he is happy about the facility, even though he will not be allowed to hit golf balls inside.
"Training outside in the snow is not as fun as it may seem," he said. "The student athletes are all really excited about this."
David Harris, UNM's president, said the facility is a big step for the University.
"This year has been a transition year at the University of New Mexico," he said. "We have a very nice athletics complex. We just need some cosmetic work."
