This time last year, the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center was being worked on through the day and night in order to make sure it was completed by the start of the Redskins Training Camp in July.

Now, the 40,000-square foot summer home for the team is an award winner.

On Wednesday, the Greater Richmond Association named the Training Center "Project of the Year" for Commercial Real Estate.

The $10.8-million dollar facility features two natural-grass fields and many other modern features, but it has also set a new standard across the league for training camp facilities.

Now, other teams in the league are looking into the possibility of building their own facilities for training camp, versus utilizing their own practice facilities or staying on college campuses.

Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan said he "wasn't surprised" to hear about the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center's recent recognition.

Many Redskins players spoke very highly about the Training Center last year when seeing it for the first time, and Kerrigan said those going back for a second time this year are excited.

"It's great because it's very functional and everything is extremely accessible for the players," Kerrigan said Thursday of the facility. "The proximity of the weight room, training room and locker room makes each day a smooth process for us. I can't wait to be back there in a few months."

Though the Redskins only use the building three weeks out of the year, the Bon Secours Virginia Health System uses the building year round as a full-service sports medicine rehabilitation and men's health center. The facility also hosts fitness and education programs and has made its fields available for youth tournaments.

Last year was the first time the Redskins held training camp away from their Loudoun County, Va., headquarters in Ashburn since 2002. More than 165,000 people gathered at the facility in Richmond during the span of those three weeks in 2013 to watch their beloved Redskins take the fields for practice. 

With training camp only a few months away, the Washington Redskins – led by first-year head coach Jay Gruden – will soon get to experience what is now an award-winning facility to kick off the 2014 season in style.

"I've never been there in Richmond, so it'll be a new experience for me," he said. "I know the team was there last year and they really enjoyed it, so hopefully it'll be a good time."

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