With the assistance of $9 million, Iowa State has a new indoor facility to help recruit and train athletes.

Donors, alumni, faculty, coaches, athletes and students gathered Friday to dedicate the Steve and Debbie Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility.

“Everyone is to be thanked. This facility was built entirely through private gifts,” Athletics Director Bruce Van De Velde said. “Steve and Debbie Bergstrom are two of those loyal Cyclone supporters that recognize the need for this magnificent building and for their generosity provided that made this dream a reality.”

The 92,000 square-foot facility will be used by the football, soccer and other teams for practice, training and conditioning. The 88,000 square-foot surface is set at 55 degrees in the winter and is cooled by vent fans in the summer.

Steve Bergstrom, who is originally from Clarion, said that it’s nice to be recognized as the lead donor but that he also realizes the building was built with help from all of the donors.

“One person and one family can not make all this happen,” Bergstrom said. “If [our family] were the only donors, coach Mac would only have about 20 yards to play with. This facility was led by a lot of hard-working people who made this all happen.”

Football coach Dan McCarney said that he appreciates all that the Bergstroms and other donors have done and said that the training facility will be a great place for his athletes.

“This is an unbelievable facility that takes your breath away. This is the crown jewel of indoor facilities in America,” McCarney said. “We can walk in recruits, former alumni, former letterwinners, families, donors and potential donors into this place and really be proud.”

Bergstrom said that he believes the indoor facility will help with recruiting.

“I see a lot of times where athletes come from Texas to visit, and the cold weather would bother them,” Bergstrom said. “They would ask, ‘Where are we going to practice?’ I think a facility like this will answer a lot of those questions.

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said the building is important to Iowa State’s student-athletes.

“This building is a symbol of Iowa State’s commitment to success in intercollegiate athletics and more importantly as a symbol to our commitment to the success of our student athletes,” Geoffroy said. “This facility will give us an important tool to be even more competitive and successful in the Big 12 and nationally in football and soccer.”

Bergstrom is a 1979 ISU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in industrial administration. He is an ISU Foundation governor and member of the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council.

Bergstrom said the football program is very important to him.

“My parents got me started with Iowa State football back when I was a kid,” he said. “They helped get me connected with [Iowa State] and it is the reason why I came here.

“I still have a lot of ties back here,”he added. “I still call Iowa my home.”