Taggart not in favor of revamping Moore Center; wants standalone facility
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. -- For more than a year, Florida State officials have been discussing the possibility of either building a new standalone football facility or renovating and expanding the Moore Athletics Center.
No decision has been made yet, but first-year head coach Willie Taggart made it clear where he stands on Wednesday.
He wants to see a new standalone facility to be built -- the sooner, the better.
"We need an upgrade big-time," Taggart said. "I just don't think we need to Band-Aid anything anymore. Just do it right and do what's best for Florida State University. We can't get behind. That's for sure. And nobody's stopping. They're only moving forward."
Taggart, who spoke with reporters following the football coaches' potion of the ACC Spring Meetings, said the Seminoles need more space and more functionality. He also said they need to keep up with rival programs who have recently completed -- or have begun building -- state-of-the-art new facilities..
"Clemson is in our conference, and Miami is doing their facility," Taggart said. "It's much needed. ... Where we are now, it's not efficient. That's probably one of the biggest issues. It's not only outdated, but there's no efficiency on how you can get things done.
"You see schools who've done it, doing pretty well. And a lot of our competitors are doing it. We're at Florida State University, and we want what's best for our kids. We want to win championships. We've got to make sure our guys have what they need to do that."
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FSU has commissioned a feasibility study produced by Populous, an architectural firm that specializes in sports facilities.
And while there are some university officials who prefer the idea of revamping the Moore Center, Taggart said he is definitely not in favor of that concept.
"That's just Band-Aiding it," Taggart said. "It's like, 'What are we doing? We're Florida State.' Me personally, I don't think that's the best thing to do. That's kind of what we've been doing, for the longest time. Again, you can do all that. It's just not efficient. ...
"Personally, I don't want a Band-Aid. I want to do what's right for the future of the Florida State University football program."
FSU athletics director Stan Wilcox told Warchant on Tuesday that university officials at "the highest levels" are in constant discussion about the facility proposals. Taggart said he didn't know if the school is close to reaching a decision, but he is optimistic.
While the need for improved facilities was one of the contentious issues between former head coach Jimbo Fisher and the university's administration, Taggart said he believes that everyone is working together toward a common goal.
"I do know that it needs to be done," he said, "and we've got to figure out a way to get it done -- some how, some way. But I'm sure we'll get to a consensus."
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