This time next year, the U.S. Soccer Federation Headquarters will cut the ribbon on its new National Training Center (NTC) and Headquarters in Fayetteville, GA. Located 15 minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the facility will be the organization’s first.
“We are one of the only top nations that does not have a training facility,” said Chelle Adams, Chief Finance Officer, U.S. Soccer Federation. (Insert clip)
The 200-acre site includes office space, a dozen soccer fields, lockerooms, classrooms, an indoor field, a cafeteria, and more. When construction is complete, the NTC will be classified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver building. Additional space is available on the site to expand if necessary.
Atlanta is expected to see an influx of new residents as many of the Federation employees are expected to relocate from the headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. There are already career opportunities posted on the Federation’s website to fill positions vacated in response to the move.
Elegant and Functional Design
Visitors to the new facility will be greeted by a two-story lobby surrounded on three sides by glass. The spacious entryway includes a stairway to the second-floor balcony and a wide-flowing walkway to the cafeteria, meeting spaces, and other functional spaces. A second balcony adorning the west side of the building will allow visitors to overlook the cascading soccer fields.
“The building is not meant to be a castle on a hill,” said Matt Bradley, USSF Project Manager. “It’s very much meant to be an inclusive and open environment for everything from grassroots soccer to the professional ranks.”
An open environment also means accessibility. A hallmark of the building’s design is its accessibility for soccer teams participating in its ADAPTandTHRIVE program.
The 100,000 square foot indoor practice facility is situated to the right of the offices and is a perfect complement to the outdoor fields for when the weather refuses to cooperate. There is a unique structure to the outdoor fields. The field immediately adjacent to the main building is for the senior teams. Each additional set of fields steps down like a terrace according to the level of skill. Between the second and third set of fields is another building that will include locker rooms, classrooms, and space for referees.
When the FIFA World Cup arrives in North America, the facility will likely be used as a meeting/event/hospitality center since the US Men’s Team is slated to begin play on the West Coast. Should they advance, they may get to take the new Ferrari for a spin.