The new Vanier Family Football Complex is Operational and Ready for the 2015 season.

The 132,000 square-foot building has been completed as the Wildcat football team reports on Wednesday for the upcoming season. K-State football coaches and staff have moved into the building, and the football student-athletes have been provided initial access to the facility.

The facility was built in just seven months by the construction management team of Mortenson & GE Johnson Construction, and in conjunction with world-renowned sportsdesign firm Populous ahead of schedule and under budget.

The facility provides a new Student-Athlete Enhancement Center, an 18-000-square-foot Olympic-quality Strength and Conditioning Center and a new sports medicine and recovery facility with state-of-the-art hydrotherapy and recovery pools.  There is a new football-shaped locker room which is more than twice the size of the previous space.

The new north seating bowl in the stadium includes enhanced sightlines, ADA seating, the new Carl and Mary Ice Video Board and is connected to the current west-side stadium concourse for access to entrance gates and stadium concessions and restrooms.

Members of the football team were provided their first access to the facility on Tuesday.

“It’s incredible,” said senior wide receiver Kyle Klein. “We had very good facilities before, but this takes it to a whole new level. I feel like we can compete facility-wise with anyone in the country.”

“It’s amazing,” added junior running back Charles Jones. “I’m happy to beable to see it, and we’re all excited to move in and get to work.”

Also on hand for the team’s first look were members of the Vanier family,the namesake of the new complex and lead contributors to the facility.

“The facility is absolutely incredible andsomething that the student-athletes and fans deserve,” said John Vanier. “I had the opportunity to travel around the country touring other facilities when this process began, and I did not see any other that even compares to this one. It is absolutely the perfect facility and one that every school in the nationwould aspire to have.”

With the new building now operational on a daily basis as the football staff begins preparations for the season, public tours and visits will not be permitted. Information regarding an open house will be announced following the completion of the football season.   There will be a dedicationceremony for the new Vanier Family Football Complex on Sept. 5.