Design details like marquee lettering, red tile floor with gold accents, and mesquite focal walls make the Fertitta Football Complex feel like a hotel lobby on The Strip, not a football training facility on a university campus.

This is thanks in part to UNLV's Planning and Construction (P&C) department. The team of architects, interior designers, engineers, and construction managers drew inspiration from the desert landscape and classic Las Vegas landmarks to imagine a facility that meets the needs of players and staff while creating a memorable first impression for potential new recruits.

The complex was funded through private donors who realized UNLV needed a state-of-the-art training facility to compete with other programs in the Mountain West Conference. More than a physical training center, the complex supports the wellness of student-athletes by providing places to eat, study, and learn while developing as a team.

Making the donors’ vision come to fruition was a team effort. P&C collaborated with campus departments and external partners including UNLV Risk Management and Safety, local architecture firm Klai Juba Wald, and the Southern Nevada Health District.

Patrick Castellano of UNLV Planning & Construction was the senior project manager for the complex. A licensed Nevada architect, Castellano made sure the 18-month building project remained on budget and on time.

“This facility was the result of a lot of different units working together to make a difference in the future of the athletic department. It was time for UNLV football to have a facility they would truly be proud of,” he said.

“In a project, you may have one area that presents a unique construction challenge but, because of the different needs of the football team, there were multiple areas that kept us on our toes.”

The P&C team wanted to not only build a facility that was impressive, but functional for years to come. The two industrial kitchens had to meet health codes, the strength conditioning area required HVAC environmental controls that could handle the demands when the full team was working out, and the therapy pools had to be easily serviced through a subfloor.

The team also took steps to make the complex an inclusive space. It features a women’s locker room to allow male and female staff and athletes the same usage of the facility.

Once the building was turned over to the athletic department, Castellano’s job was not over. The Planning & Construction team is available to campus clients during a new space’s breaking-in period. Inevitably, issues come up as buildings occupants settle in for day-to-day use. That’s where P&C’s service really shines.

“We don’t abandon the client to handle these issues on their own,” explained Castellano. 

Sara Doty, executive assistant to Head Coach Marcus Arroyo, attests to his dedication: “From the first day, Patrick and P&C have been fantastic to work with. They coordinated every vendor and contractor and worked within the timeline we needed. Even now, I know that I can call Patrick anytime to get issues resolved quickly and efficiently. He knows the building better than anyone else and takes the time to listen before resolving any issues.”

P&C is currently working with campus clients, donor groups, and State of Nevada agencies on three major projects — the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine building, the Advanced Engineering building, and the Tropicana Parking Garage expansion — but they don’t focus solely on large-scale building projects. They also offer lesser-known services like interior design, space design, and furniture selection. Each project is led by a highly qualified professional that can help make any working environment more efficient and aesthetically pleasing.