What is the Project?
The University of Oregon is expanding and enhancing the Hatfield-Downlin Complex near Autzen Stadium to better support student-athletes while improving community resources. Entirely funded through private philanthropy and managed by the UO Foundation, this project includes:
- New Indoor Facility: Construction of a new 170,000 sq. ft. indoor athletics training facility for the UO’s varsity football team, freeing up existing facilities for other student-athletes. The facility will be located just west of Autzen Stadium, between Leo Harris Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
- Relocated Outdoor Fields: Relocation of two outdoor practice fields south of their current location to optimize space and safety.
- Leo Harris Parkway: Realignment of Leo Harris Parkway to accommodate the development and allow for better traffic flow. Access to the Eugene Science Center, Alton Baker Park, and UO athletics facilities will remain available from the east end of Leo Harris Parkway during the realignment process.
- Community Benefits: Upgrades to nearby community facilities, including parking, accessibility, and natural areas in Alton Baker Park.
Latest Updates
January 2025:
- Realignment of Leo Harris Parkway is in progress, with the west entrance closed to traffic through summer 2025. Visitors to the Eugene Science Center, Alton Baker Park, and UO athletics facilities can continue to access these locations via the east entrance at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
FAQ
Why now?
This proposal reflects the UO’s long-standing effort to provide the best opportunities for student-athletes to excel academically and athletically. It helps attract top talent and provides the means for individuals and teams to grow and train together in a world-class environment. It benefits student-athletes in almost all sports, with expanded access to highly coveted indoor training facilities.Highly competitive, top-tier college football benefits our community in a myriad of ways, but especially economically, with thousands of visitors each fall spending millions of dollars. The economic and community impact of UO Athletics has increased in step with the trajectory of the University of Oregon football program. Maintaining a competitive edge has never been more challenging. This facility helps ensure the University of Oregon’s student-athletes can continue to grow and learn in one of the best environments in the country.
What alternatives were explored?
The design team explored a host of options for expanding the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex before settling on the current design, which maximizes the benefits for the community, with park improvements, as well as student-athletes.Expansion south of the Moshofsky Center does not afford sufficient space. Expanding into the parking lots east of Autzen Stadium does not leave enough parking to meet city requirements. In addition, the design team examined solutions to the north of the stadium, but those would require student-athletes and coaches to cross busy Martin Luther King Boulevard multiple times each day, creating a hazard and traffic issue.
What are the benefits to the community of this design? To the UO?
While this option offers a superior combination of efficiency and safety, the design team also found this option to have the most benefit for the community, with significant park improvements, such as increased and improved parking, improved ADA access to areas within the park and improved fish habitat and water quality in a nearby pond.In this proposal, the proximity of the new training facility and practice fields to existing football facilities enables student-athletes and teams to efficiently move from practice to training and meeting areas, a critical need when regulations limit practice time. It also optimizes safety by not requiring student-athletes and coaches to cross a road multiple times each day.
Community Open House
A community open house was held on September 6, 2022, at the Eugene Science Center.
Eugene Science Center parking lot plans
Additional information, including a recording of a Eugene City Council work session on July 11, 2022 on the subject, can be found here: City Council Work Session Recording
Questions and Feedback
Write to gcr@uoregon.edu.