In the most concrete proof that Rutgers is forging ahead with its ambitious facilities plan for athletics, university officials will host a groundbreaking on Nov. 1 for the multisport training complex, NJ Advance Media has learned.

A formal invitation is expected to be emailed to select alumni and posted on the university's athletics website Tuesday, three sources with knowledge of the announcement told NJ Advance Media.

UPDATE:

Rutgers athletics formally announced that it will host a Nov. 1 groundbreaking ceremony for the Multisport Training Complex, labeling it "the first major initiative to be realized from the 2015 Athletics Master Plan,'' on Tuesday afternoon. The 10 a.m. groundbreaking is an invitation-only event, and will take place adjacent to the Rutgers Athletics Center (RAC) in the south side (Scarlet) parking lot.

One official familiar with the announcement said Nov. 1 will be "a monumental moment for the athletic department and proof that it's going to be built.''

Rutgers athletics director Pat Hobbs didn't respond to requests to be interviewed, but said Tuesday afternoon in a statement: "This is more than just a groundbreaking. It's a statement that we intend to compete at the highest level by providing our coaches and students with best in class resources. It's a statement by the Rutgers faithful that they are all in.''

Rutgers insiders say the multi-purpose practice facility -- which will be built on the existing parking lot southwest of the Rutgers Athletic Center and northwest of the Business School on the Livingston Campus in Piscataway -- is expected to take two years to build and could be operational at some point in the 2018-19 school year.

NEWS RELEASE: Multisport Training Complex Groundbreaking Set For Nov. 1 https://t.co/5kVXOOhVCd pic.twitter.com/i8FT9KeRrk — Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) October 18, 2016

Although new renderings of the practice facility are expected to be unveiled at the groundbreaking, the Rutgers athletics department has a website with preliminary conceptual designs of the multi-sport facility, which is set to include courts for the men's and women's basketball teams and practice areas for the wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball programs.

The 295,244-square foot, four-story Multisport Training Complex will include spaces for locker rooms, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition and training table, administration, and a sports performance lab.

An Athletics Hall of Fame, spirit shop and training table will operate off of the main public entry lobby and a multi-story parking deck will serve athletic functions, as well as academics and the future conference center.

The initial concept was first reported by NJ Advance Media in April 2015 and approved by the university's Board of Governors two months later as part of a 327-page "Rutgers University Physical Master Plan Rutgers 2030'' spearheaded by university President Robert Barchi.

Pressed for a timetable on when a shovel could be put in the ground for the multisport facility, Barchi said in June 2015 the timeline was "entirely dependent on the donors.''

But during an address to the University Senate on Sept. 23, Barchi said athletics officials would "break ground on a new multi-sport facility within six weeks.''

"The date is set,'' Barchi told the group comprised of faculty and students. "I'm just not going to spill it.''

Barchi also noted the importance of proving that Rutgers can get new athletic facilities built.

"We have to get some facilities built that people can see," Barchi said. "Because a lot of people out there just don't believe we can do it.''

Rutgers insiders credited Hobbs and his administrative and fundraising staffs, including deputy AD Sarah Baumgartner, for spearheading the fundraising efforts that led to a formal groundbreaking date.

In January, Hobbs announced $100 million fundraising initiative called "the Big Ten Build'' that was later supplemented by a key piece of legislation -- spearheaded by state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) -- that will enable Rutgers to make use of $25 million in tax credits to finance the construction of an athletic facility and parking deck.

As of Oct. 17, $56.5 million was in the "Big Ten Build'' fund, a total that includes the $25 million in tax credits. School officials say 1,571 donors had contributed $31.5 million for the three-phase project that will also include a new facility to be shared by the lacrosse, soccer and tennis programs and an enhanced football training complex at the Hale Center.

LISTEN: Episode 5 of NJ.com's Rutgers Football podcast

Rebuilding Rutgers: From The Ashes takes you inside the new football regime. This episode is about Rutgers' attempt to catch up to the rest of the Big Ten in nutrition and conditioning.

NJ Advance Media reporters Adam Clark and Ryan Dunleavy contributed to this report.

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.