by Nick Layman
Daily Lobo
A groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday marked the beginning of a $4.2 million renovation of the gymnastics building next to The Pit.
The building will be turned into a 26,100-square-foot practice facility for both basketball teams, as well as housing offices for Lobo basketball coaches and staff.
The current offices for basketball coaches and staff are across University Boulevard next to UNM's football stadium.
The facility will also have a video room, a computer lab for student athletes and a full-size court with six baskets.
The ceremony featured UNM Athletics Director Rudy Davalos, men's basketball head coach Ritchie McKay, women's basketball head coach Don Flanagan, UNM President Louis Caldera and president of the UNM Board of Regents Jamie Koch. Also on hand were Gov. Bill Richardson and State Rep. Henry Saavedra.
Flanagan said a facility that is more conducive to practice will be an advantage when trying to convince players to come to UNM.
"I think that it will help us in recruiting," he said. "Obviously recruiting is the key for all of us to be successful."
McKay said the facility should help bring in top-name recruits.
"It gives us a chance to recruit against some of the top-echelon programs in the country," he said. "A minor percentage of institutions have basketball-specific facilities. That's a great advantage for us."
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Richardson said the success of both programs permits other sports to have resources to operate and said he expects with the new facility both basketball teams will win the NCAA Championship.
Lobo junior guard Julie Briody said the women's team had to share practice time with the men and that made it difficult. She said sometimes players can't get into The Pit to practice individually.
"I have been kicked out a few times," she said.
The New Mexico State Legislature allocated the $4.2 million in funds in two sessions. UNM doesn't have to contribute any of its own funds toward the project.
"It means that you can use your own bonding capacity for other things like classrooms and laboratories," Caldera said.
The funding will come from capital outlay money allocated by Richardson and the state Legislature. Capital outlay projects are for acquiring or constructing fixed needs.
The practice facility is set to be completed in November.
