It’s Electric!

It’s Electric!

Jacksonville Jaguars introduce new Miller Electric Center

Words by Carson Rich

The first step in creating the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new look has finally set sail. As they gear up for the 2023 season, what’s a better way to get settled in than with a new practice stadium. The Miller Electric Center is now open to host practices, scrimmages, summer camps and more for the home team. The state-of-the-art facility was recently opened just in time for 2023 training camp to start, and fans have already fallen in love with it. 

For starters, fans can finally get out of the heat to enjoy their favorite team with shaded seating surrounded by fans to ensure their comfortability. Everyone loves the atmosphere of TIAA Bank Field, but with the heat index rising everyday in Florida, it’s nice to stay cool every once in a while. There are also shops and VIP lounge areas closeby if you do need a break, which is understandable because the feels like is probably 109 degrees right now. 

This new project has locker rooms, training and medical facilities, office spaces and a draft room all at the team’s disposal. The shiny jaguar statues placed right out front makes for perfect picture taking opportunities, and the whole place overall looks like it was sent back from the future. The $120 million, 125,000-square-foot-space is perfect for both the team and the fans. Especially following the thrilling playoff win earlier this year, there was not a better time to showcase this than right now. The fan shop is also a great way to attract fans during the offseason, as they gear up for September. 

“Our community, city leadership, football team, Miller Electric … Everyone had the same vision, a vision and belief that we can do amazing things in Jacksonville… Together, we made it a reality. We made it happen.” said Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who celebrated his birthday on the same day as the opening. 

The renovations project for their home stadium was recently announced, so there is no better way to introduce that excitement than with a new practice stadium. These changes won’t be officially put into effect for a couple years, so this is a great placeholder for fans who have been craving something new. This is also the first major project to occur for the Jaguars under Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration, so this gives her the chance to settle in and really become immersed in the Duval culture.

“This team has the power to bring us all together, and indeed it does,” said Mayor Deegan. “The Jaguars also remind us that we are a can-do city when we’re united and we’re working alongside of each other to do big things. I look forward to our shared future, and I know that no matter what it holds, we’re going to all take it a play at a time, and we’re going to get it done.”

“Can-do city” is a perfect way to describe what is happening in the community, as a handful of fans seriously doubted whether or not the team would actually follow through on their future project plans. The Miller Electric Center is here to prove them wrong. 

The new facility allows the team to become more engaged with their fans, and it brings a new feeling to training camps for offseasons to come. 

For years, the Jags have used their home stadium and practice fields for all of their events in between games and for training camps, which is also what other teams in the league resort to during the offseason. The Jaguars envisioned a different experience, however, a real connection. “This has been a great space since the mid-90s,” said Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson. “But to have our own building, a place guys can really call home, even from the standpoint of the offseason where once the season ends they don’t have to go other places …”

The Miller Electric Center is now complete, so this can be in place of the excitement for the stadium renovations for the time being. There is a bright future being set in motion for the city of Jacksonville, and this is only the beginning. 

As Khan told members of the media, “Jacksonville is rising… Our football team has great promise, and downtown Jacksonville is beginning to fulfill its potential. The Miller Electric Center is emblematic of all this and more. This makes it absolutely a great day for Jacksonville.”