The Panthers are “laying out plans for a major addition and redevelopment” of the team’s practice complex which would include a football field house that would anchor what the team describes as “a major complex/unified development,” according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. The details are in a rezoning petition filed this week for 11.9 acres of city-owned property. The site includes 8.6 acres behind Bank of America Stadium already used for the team’s practice fields since the mid-1990s as well as an adjacent 2.8-acre city property now used for surface parking. Details included reveal that the field house will have indoor seating for sports and entertainment events, up to 5,000 seats “for such uses outdoors on a periodic basis,” and temporary restaurant and bar, retail and personal services, “tied to training camp and other special events.” A Tepper Sports spokesperson said, “The rezoning filing is a necessary step as we work through the strategic vision for our facilities. It will enable us to pursue enhancements and modifications to the practice fields with the goal of constructing a field house for football operations and community opportunities like Training Camp.” Charlotte City Council Member Malcolm Graham said that he is “aware of the filing but needs to hear more details from the team and reaction from residents in the neighborhood before rendering an opinion.” Graham added that he “likes the prospect of training camp coming to Charlotte and additional Panthers investments" (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/28).
