FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons organization announced plans to renovate, expand and update their training facility in June of 2023. Now, a year and some change later, the project estimated as a $25-30 million endeavor is complete.
From early construction days to final looks, team photographers Shanna Lockwood, Brandon Magnus and Jay Bendlin give fans a glimpse into the two-story strength and conditioning center, brand new locker room, renovated dining services area and so much more.
"This ain't nothing like we had before," Grady Jarrett said.
Construction began in full-force once the 2023-24 season came to an end in January.
By the time players reported for offseason training programs in April, the Falcons had moved nearly their entire operation to the indoor practice facility. That included temporary set ups of the locker room, weight room, dining service area and training center for team doctors and trainers, all of which was housed in the indoor facility.
This allowed the Falcons to continue their regularly scheduled work as construction continued.
Players returned to the facility in late July for the start of training camp, and when they did, the locker room, weight room and dining services area were operational.
Though there was still construction to finish up in the early weeks of training camp, the players and staff were cleared to move in as training camp began.
The Falcons' locker room doubled in size compared to the former space, with the organization adding an extra 3,380 square feet to the space. It is also equipped with 90 permanent lockers to accommodate expanded rosters.
"This is one of the best locker rooms you're ever going to see," Jarrett said.
The space also includes a barber shop for players and coaches, as well as updated equipment facilities just off the locker room for easy access to cleats, helmets, pads and more.
The expanded and update equipment room includes storage spaces for helmets and cleats, as well as a conveyer belt for added hanging storage and automative organization for jerseys.
A fan-favorite expansion for the players is the two-story strength and conditioning center.
Perks of the space include 14 full cage racks, all 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 to do from a physical standpoint, they "have the capacity to do in this room."
"At the end of the day," Griffin said, "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 the largest lift -- no pun intended -- of the entire project, with the Falcons breaking ground for a whole new addition to the building itself with a 14,135 square-foot extension that now houses the entirety of the weight room.
One of the most interesting touches of design can be seen in the updated dining services area.
Wrapped along an entire wall is photos paying homage to some of the most notable players and coaches from the past.
"You see what it means to be a Falcon seeing all the guys who have put in the hard work to be able to go to work for something like this," Jarrett said while taking in the wall decor.
Jarrett went on to explain that the dining area is "one of the best additions to the whole building."
"I couldn't ask for a better set up, man," the long-time defensive tackle said. "The guys love it. It gives us a common place to hang out and it encourages us to hang out together."
The dining hall includes everything from a hot buffet, a fully-functioning grill and salad bar, an ice cream station and a fully-stocked snack area.
