The Lead
2024 Training Camp powered by Ford has officially arrived.
And as Broncos President Damani Leech told 9NEWS’ Mike Klis on Friday morning, it was a priority to have fans in attendance at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit ahead of renovations to the team's training facility.
"As we originally planned, we were going to have to start construction about a month or so ago," Leech said. "But as we got further into the design process, working with Arapahoe County on our permitting — [it's] been great from a communication standpoint — we felt like we could still meet our goal of being in a new facility by June of 2026 and have another training camp with fans on the berm. [It was] really important for us, obviously, for fans to be able to come out here and experience this."
The Broncos announced plans in November of 2023 to build a new training facility and team headquarters that will feature more than 200,000 additional square feet and be 30 percent larger than the existing training facility. The new complex will connect to the existing Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse and be comprised of more than 320,000 square feet. The project, which will be 100 percent privately funded, aims to enhance player health and performance while bringing both the football and business operations staff together in one facility.
While construction will begin after the 2024 preseason, Leech also said fans are expected to be able to attend 2025 training camp, albeit from a different vantage point.
"Next year, we'll likely have temporary seating right out here in this parking lot," Leech said of the Broncos' south parking lot. "… We'll build some temporary seating and stands and fans will be able to watch."
When the new headquarters is finished, the Broncos will then find a more permanent seating area for fans to watch future training camps.
"That berm, where the fans sit today, that will effectively be the new practice facility," Leech said. "Connected to the indoor practice facility [and] two-and-a-half levels, it'll be beautiful. The idea is then once we move over there, then we demolish [the existing facility], build a new berm back up and fans come in and watch practice."
As the Broncos plan for construction work away from the practice field, Leech told Klis he is also excited for what is to come between the white lines.
"The vibe is great," Leech said. "A lot of young players bringing energy. We've got new veteran players [also] bringing energy to the building. I think that really permeates the entire building. … I think there's a sense of hope and energy and optimism that we feel in the building. I'm excited for our fans to actually start to feel that when we come out [to practice] today."
