The New Orleans Saints have a lot of work happening at their practice facility these days, and that extends far beyond the field and classrooms.
The team is knee deep in a large-scale, $12 million construction project aimed at modernizing their weight and training facilities, draft war room and dining facilities. Media was allowed to tour the ongoing renovations on Saturday, midway through the team's rookie minicamp.
The long project still underway is that of the dining facility, which is among the most intensive. The team is expanding the dining and food service areas from 6,000 to 14,000 square feet, which includes a new dining/viewing area that will overlook the indoor practice facility and allow for fans a vantage point to watch indoor practice.
Get a look at some of the ongoing work in the video atop this page. Can't see the embed? Click here.
The dining hall project is what has prompted the team to relocate this year's training camp to Irvine, California, with much of the more involved construction being put on hold until after OTAs and minicamp, which will also be held at the facility.
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Team president Dennis Lauscha said the team has considerations of making practices open to fans at the UC Irvine campus, where the L.A. Rams have held their camp previously, though the logistics could be a challenge.
Team officials also reiterated that there is every intention to return camp to Metairie in future seasons, which will be better accommodated with the updated and upgraded facilities. The project, which has been in the works since 2019, is expected to be fully completed by November, 2024.