The Bubble - Facilities - Boston College Athletics

The Bubble

In any season, Boston College student-athletes are able to take advantage of the best in practice facilities thanks to "The Bubble."

The bubble can handle all facets of football training, and has been a crucial part of the Eagles' off-season workouts, including strengthand conditioning, and place kicking.

Erected in December of 1998, the facility cost approximately $2 millionl. It measures 360-feet by 210-feet and rises 70 feet high. It covers the entire football field and extends a few feet beyond the endzones and sidelines.

It takes approximately four hours to inflate the bubble. The facility is heated and can reach 72 degrees Farenheit, although it is usually kept at 55 degrees. The bubble has 13 exits, one ADA accessible entrance and one cargo door.

Special features of the bubble include a wind sensor, which stabilizes the facility's frame when the are high wind gusts, and a snow sensor which automatically raises the temperature on the exterior of the bubble to melt the snow. Each year, the bubble is erected at the end of November and stays inflated until the end of March. The building is open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.

The bubble's main purpose is to serve as a practice facility for all of the Eagles' teams during the winter months, housing 11 varsity sports: football, baseball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, softball, soccer and track teams all utilize the bubble for indoor training during the New England winters.