The Denver Broncos have been one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, winning seven AFC championships and three Super Bowls while creating a loyal and enthusiastic fan base that extends far beyond their home state of Colorado. As longtime owners, the iconic Bowlen family has made the Broncos championship contenders on the field as well as a financial triumph of the team.
But despite that success, the Denver Broncos practice facility was subpar when compared to other NFL training facilities. The team had no indoor practice facility since the 2003 collapse of the previously used “bubble,” which meant inclement weather often forced the team to bus players and coaches to an athletic training facility less suited for a training camp that includes more than 90 NFL players.
The bubble, an exterior fabric and fabric liner, was once seen as an innovative product because of its versatility and low cost. But after dangerous incidents at other NFL training facilities involving the collapse of the bubble, the safety of the structures has come under question. And as steel buildings continue to evolve, the comparison between the two structure types is becoming more one-sided. Franchises now see the importance of a reliable practice facility and are viewing it as a long-term investment as opposed to a one-time expense.
That changed in 2014, when Broncos management unveiled the Broncos Field House, a three-story, 115,000 square-foot steel building. Because steel buildings are easily customizable, the indoor practice facility, now named the UC Health Training Center, includes a regulation NFL playing field (with the height to fit real NFL goalposts!), locker rooms, a media studio, indoor/outdoor VIP viewing areas and even a team store.
The old practice bubble was abandoned in 2003 when the fabric was torn off by a microburst.
The steel building is, first and foremost, a football training facility that allows Broncos players and coaches the convenience and competitive advantage of an on-site alternative to bad weather or playing conditions. It also gives the team the chance to more accurately simulate playing conditions during game-week preparation, whether that includes the use of crowd noise or if Denver is facing an opponent that plays its home games indoors.
Besides those benefits, the UC Health Training Center could help lure valuable free agents and host official NFL events. The steel building includes locker rooms for two teams, making it an obvious choice for training camp scrimmages against other NFL teams. Broncos President Joe Ellis has also mentioned hosting a NFL Combine event.
The NFL is more popular than ever, and that means even training camps have become a destination for hardcore fans. The UC Health Training Center offers indoor/outdoor viewing decks, an expanded berm for spectators and a team store sure to rack up some preseason sales. The Broncos’ new steel building will not only improve conditions for players and coaches, but its versatility will also improve the fan experience – a true feat for a practice facility.
Broncos management did their research before making the decision to design and construct a steel building that appears less like a barn and more like a modern home to one of the most successful professional franchises in the country. Because steel buildings are cheaper to construct, easier to customize and provide more versatility than traditional construction methods, the Broncos were able to go the extra mile and build an athletic training facility that will stand the test of time.
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