Take a look as Smyrna unveils $5 million, 8,000-square-foot athletic facility

Smyrna High unveiled a new $5 million home for athletics on Monday.

The 8,080-square-foot facility, which was funded by a donation from Smyrna Ready Mix (which also funded the football field's artificial turf project), was built as an extension to the team's existing locker room on the South end of the stadium.

The new facility, which was constructed by Dow Smith Company, includes a 5,000-square foot weight room, coaches offices, a coaches locker room, a trainer's room, kitchen and a front lobby.

"It was ahead of schedule," said football coach Matt Williams. "I can't say enough about Dow Smith construction and the work they've done. There were very few hiccups. This is very humbling, watching it finally come to fruition."

There are two more phases coming, with the team's old weight room being converted into a locker room and also a laundry room being constructed.

The facility was a dream-turned-reality for Smyrna staff, one that began back in 2012.

"We're thankful for SRM Concrete and Dow Smith Construction for believing in Smyrna High School athletics and giving our kids an opportunity like no other," principal Sherri Southerland said. "What a dream come true for SHS."

Included in the weight room is is a turf section of 10 yards by 30 yards. It also includes 14 racks of weights, whereas the old weight room had seven.

"It will make summer workouts much easier," Williams said. "We can do agility stuff and speed work (on the indoor turf). We have sleds we can do sled work. If we're put inside because of lightning, our linemen can get a lot of work. It's a dual-purpose facility, and we're excited about it."

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Once remodeling is done on the existing fieldhouse, Smyrna's athletic facility will total 15,000 square feet. Completion of the final two phases of the project is expected to be completed before the 2024 football season begins.

Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Take a look as Smyrna unveils $5 million, 8,000-square-foot athletic facility