Dawg Corner
If you haven’t made your way down South Milledge Avenue lately, there’s a new UGA landmark worth noticing. The University of Georgia’s new Track and Field Complex officially opened in February 2026, giving Bulldog athletes a state-of-the-art home while adding an impressive new recreational amenity for the Athens community.
Stretching across 37 acres, the complex includes 34,700 square feet of facilities and replaces the former Spec Towns Track off Lumpkin Street, which served Georgia track and field for 60 years. The new facility retains the Spec Towns name in honor of Forrest “Spec” Towns, the legendary Georgia athlete and coach who won Olympic gold in the 110-meter hurdles in 1936.
UGA President Jere W. Morehead joined university and athletic leaders for the facility’s dedication on February 18. The opening came at an especially fitting time for Georgia Track & Field, following a remarkable 2025 season that saw the Georgia women capture their first NCAA outdoor team national championship.
At the heart of the new complex is the nine-lane, 400-meter Spec Towns Track, surrounded by specialized spaces designed for nearly every aspect of training and competition. Jumping areas are located on the infield, while the throwing area features two shot put rings, two discus and hammer throw rings and four javelin runways. Athletes also have five indoor 100-meter warm-up lanes beneath the grandstand, six outdoor 110-meter warm-up lanes along the backstretch, a turf training area and a 110-meter training hill.
The grandstand provides seating for 2,500 spectators, with room for additional capacity during select events. There’s also a press box and observation deck, concessions, restrooms and dedicated sports medicine and recovery space.
It didn’t take long for the facility to get some real competition under its belt. The Bulldogs welcomed collegiate athletes to the inaugural Spec Towns Invitational in April, beginning a new chapter of home meets on South Milledge Avenue. The facility was designed not only for Georgia Athletics but also to attract high school, regional and championship-level competitions to Athens.
Perhaps one of the nicest things about the new complex is that you don’t have to be a nationally ranked athlete to enjoy it. Public access remains part of the Spec Towns tradition. Visit Athens currently lists public hours as 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, unless UGA Track & Field has a scheduled practice or meet.
For Athenians, that makes the new complex more than another impressive piece of UGA Athletics. It’s also a place to take a morning walk, log a few laps or simply get a closer look at one of the university’s newest facilities.
And who knows? Sharing a track with national champions might be just the motivation to pick up the pace.
