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- Aug 25, 2012
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ALAMEDA (CBS SF) — Amid the talk of the Oakland Raiders possibly moving back to Southern California, there is word the team is planning to spend millions of dollars to build a brand-new training facility at their Alameda headquarters.
The city of Alameda has already approved the plans for the new facility, which will include a state-of-the-art workout center, a new maintenance building, and new turf and irrigation systems for the three practice fields.
• View Images Of Planned Training Facility (.pdf)
“The exterior is a prefabricated metal building,” said Alameda Planning Services Manager Allen Tai.”Those buildings can last for quite some time.”
The new gym will measure about 20,000 square feet with a hydration bar.
Tai said the construction should be done by mid-August before the start of the regular season.
It’s estimated the entire facility will cost between $10 million and $40 million. “We’re excited,” said Tai. “If this is a sign that the Raiders are choosing to stay in town, we’re very excited.”
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority board member Chris Dobbins agreed the facility plans are a good omen for keeping the team in the Bay Area.
“These guys are businessmen,” said Dobbins. “I can’t see why anybody would invest this kind of money for a short term.”
The Raiders have a one-year lease at O.co Coliseum, and could ask the NFL for permission to move to SoCal as early as next year.
Carson in Los Angeles County has been lobbying both the Raiders and the San Diego Chargers to build a joint stadium venture.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said the plans to upgrade the team’s Alameda headquarters was “a great sign.”
“It’s a sign of confidence in Oakland,” said Schaaf. “It’s a sign that they want to stay here where they have an adoring fan base.”
Former executive with the A’s, Warriors and 49ers Andy Dolich agreed it’s a good sign, but said Oakland shouldn’t relax in its stadium negotiations with the Raiders.
“In the scheme of the multi-billions of dollars that get transacted every day in the NFL, I wouldn’t necessarily have a ‘Raiders Are Staying in Oakland’ party just yet,” said Dolich.
The Raiders did not respond to a KPIX 5 request for comment. It’s expected the players will be able to use the brand-new facility no later than September 1st.