CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini wrestling program is set to receive a best-in-class facility following today's announcement of the Illinois Wrestling Training Center by Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. In the coming months, DIA will present the project for formal approval by both institutional authorities and the University's Board of Trustees. "Wrestling is one of our most storied programs at the University of Illinois," Whitman said. "For generations, Fighting Illini Wrestling has competed at a high level, including a run of All-Americans that is virtually unmatched, with facilities that do not meet our standard of excellence. It has taken us years of evaluating, planning, and fundraising, but we are so pleased to deliver to our wrestling program a facility of this caliber. This facility, combined with Coach Mike Poeta's leadership, will propel our program to new heights." The $14 million Illinois Wrestling Training Center will be located on the south lawn of State Farm Center, directly across St. Mary's Road from the Illinois Conference Center. It will feature approximately 19,000 square feet of space, including a wrestling room with three mats, strength and conditioning and sports medicine facilities, team locker room, coaches' locker room and offices, and a multipurpose meeting room. Another $1.3 million in site work and improvements to State Farm Center parking will be included in this project. Groundbreaking is scheduled for spring 2024, with completion expected in late 2025.