University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Tony Walsh/UGAAA
UGA Dedicates New Track & Field Complex
February 18, 2026 | Cross Country, Track & Field
Athens, Ga. – Members of the University of Georgia and the UGA Athletic Association joined together on Wednesday to dedicate the new UGA Track and Field Complex on South Milledge Avenue.
The dedication featured several speakers, including current Bulldog sprinter and 10-time scoring All-American Kaila Jackson, in a tented area just outside the facility followed by a ribbon cutting inside the track's front gate.
"On the heels of the UGA women's track and field team's national outdoor championship last spring, it seems only fitting that we are here today to celebrate the official opening of this state-of-the-art facility," said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. "Our world-class athletes deserve nothing less than world-class facilities, and, as I am sure our coaches and student-athletes can attest, the new Track and Field Complex certainly lives up to this lofty standard."
The Track and Field Complex stretches out over 37 acres and features 34,700 square feet of facilities and the Spec Towns Track, a nine-lane 400-meter track with area dedicated to jumps on the infield. The facility boasts one of the premiere throwing areas in the country, featuring two shot put rings, two discus and hammer throw rings and four javelin runways. In addition, there are five 100m indoor warm-up lanes under the grandstand, six 110m outdoor warm-up lanes outside the backstretch along with a turf training area and a 110m training hill.
"This facility is more than just the athletic department and more than just our city; this will be tremendous for our community," said Josh Brooks, J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. "That means that every young boy and girl in Georgia can dream and have the opportunity to compete on this track. This will be a facility that so many will get to love and cherish and use."
The facility replaces the previous Spec Towns Track that was located on the southwestern corner of the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall athletic facilities off Lumpkin Street. The track is named for U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee and 1936 Olympics gold medalist Forrest "Spec" Towns, who ran and coached at Georgia. The former Spec Towns Track was built in 1965 and was the home for the Bulldogs over the next 60 years.
"This is an exciting time for Georgia track and field with SEC and NCAA team titles coming last year, records at the highest level falling already this year and current and former Bulldogs not only competing at professionally and internationally, but bringing medals home to Athens and their homes," said Caryl Smith Gilbert, Director of Men's and Women's Track & Field. "I am confident this trend of success will only continue to flourish in the years to come, and I am beyond excited that memorable moments will be made at this incredible new home for the Georgia track and field family."
Georgia is slated to play host to a pair of home meets at the facility this spring. The Spec Towns Invitational is scheduled for April 9-11, and the Torrin Lawrence Memorial will be on May 2.
The Bulldogs track and field program returns to action during the indoor season at the USC Invite in Columbia, South Carolina, on Feb. 21. The outdoor opener, Yellow Jacket Invitational in Atlanta, will be on March 20-21.
###
Note to editors: News outlets are highly encouraged to use the provided assets of the newly constructed UGA Track and Field Complex
Download video here: https://www.dropbox.com/t/L4njdl8Okd5Cq8ig
Download photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/t/o5gElVMQDggvnkLb
Courtesy: UGA/University of Georgia
The dedication featured several speakers, including current Bulldog sprinter and 10-time scoring All-American Kaila Jackson, in a tented area just outside the facility followed by a ribbon cutting inside the track's front gate.
"On the heels of the UGA women's track and field team's national outdoor championship last spring, it seems only fitting that we are here today to celebrate the official opening of this state-of-the-art facility," said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. "Our world-class athletes deserve nothing less than world-class facilities, and, as I am sure our coaches and student-athletes can attest, the new Track and Field Complex certainly lives up to this lofty standard."
The Track and Field Complex stretches out over 37 acres and features 34,700 square feet of facilities and the Spec Towns Track, a nine-lane 400-meter track with area dedicated to jumps on the infield. The facility boasts one of the premiere throwing areas in the country, featuring two shot put rings, two discus and hammer throw rings and four javelin runways. In addition, there are five 100m indoor warm-up lanes under the grandstand, six 110m outdoor warm-up lanes outside the backstretch along with a turf training area and a 110m training hill.
"This facility is more than just the athletic department and more than just our city; this will be tremendous for our community," said Josh Brooks, J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. "That means that every young boy and girl in Georgia can dream and have the opportunity to compete on this track. This will be a facility that so many will get to love and cherish and use."
The facility replaces the previous Spec Towns Track that was located on the southwestern corner of the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall athletic facilities off Lumpkin Street. The track is named for U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee and 1936 Olympics gold medalist Forrest "Spec" Towns, who ran and coached at Georgia. The former Spec Towns Track was built in 1965 and was the home for the Bulldogs over the next 60 years.
"This is an exciting time for Georgia track and field with SEC and NCAA team titles coming last year, records at the highest level falling already this year and current and former Bulldogs not only competing at professionally and internationally, but bringing medals home to Athens and their homes," said Caryl Smith Gilbert, Director of Men's and Women's Track & Field. "I am confident this trend of success will only continue to flourish in the years to come, and I am beyond excited that memorable moments will be made at this incredible new home for the Georgia track and field family."
Georgia is slated to play host to a pair of home meets at the facility this spring. The Spec Towns Invitational is scheduled for April 9-11, and the Torrin Lawrence Memorial will be on May 2.
The Bulldogs track and field program returns to action during the indoor season at the USC Invite in Columbia, South Carolina, on Feb. 21. The outdoor opener, Yellow Jacket Invitational in Atlanta, will be on March 20-21.
###
Note to editors: News outlets are highly encouraged to use the provided assets of the newly constructed UGA Track and Field Complex
Download video here: https://www.dropbox.com/t/L4njdl8Okd5Cq8ig
Download photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/t/o5gElVMQDggvnkLb
Courtesy: UGA/University of Georgia
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Track & FieldGeorgia Track & Field - Clemson Invitational - Highlights
Monday, January 12
Georgia Track & Field Outdoor National Championships Video Recap
Monday, June 16
Georgia Track & Field Outdoor NCAAs Day 2 Recap
Friday, June 13
Georgia Track & Field Feature: Throwers Profile
Monday, June 09