UNLV Athletics announced Monday that the Las Vegas Sands will donate $1 million towards the new home of Rebel Football, the state-of-the-art Fertitta Football Complex, with groundbreaking set for Jan. 23.
More than $22 million has been committed to the project since it was announced in 2016. The building, which will cost approximately $28 million, will open in early 2019.
“The generosity and support of the iconic Las Vegas Sands will help make this transformational project a reality,” said UNLV Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois. “The Complex and the opening of our new stadium in 2020 will have a profound impact on our university and on our beloved city and with leaders like the Sands out in front, Las Vegas can become the epicenter of sports in this country.”
UNLV Athletics announced the largest single gift in its history in September 2016, as the Fertitta Family pledged $10 million toward the facility. The 73,000-square-foot, two-level complex will be built on campus in the north end of the team’s practice area and will overlook the Ernie Becker Sr. Football Fields at Bill “Wildcat” Morris Rebel Park. The Fertitta Football Complex will be the day-to-day home of the football program and include an academic center, locker rooms, offices, meeting rooms, strength & conditioning center, media room, training table and nutrition bar, athletic training center, and player lounge.
“Through the incredible kindness of the Adelson Family and the Las Vegas Sands, our new home is one step closer to completion,” said UNLV football head coach Tony Sanchez. “This project will help permanently transform our university’s football program and we can’t wait to experience all that it will offer for our student-athletes, coaches, and staff.”