The City of Toronto and its newest professional sports team - the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo - have announced plans to build a brand new performance centre at Exhibition Place that is set to open next year.
In a news release issued Friday, officials said the facility will serve as both the team’s “high-performance training home” and a community “hub,” that will help expand access to basketball for fans across the city.
The announcement was made by Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik who spoke to reporters inside Coca-Cola Coliseum, where the Tempo will play most of their home games.
The city is providing the Tempo with a long-term lease to the land the practice facility will sit on - currently a parking lot.
But it is not contributing financially to the project.
“With year-round access to recreation, new park space and inclusive programming, this project delivers real benefits for residents while strengthening Toronto’s leadership in women’s sport,” Chow said. “I am not spending any city money in building this, it is being purely built and carried by the Tempo”.
The new space will be located just steps away from Coca-Cola Coliseum. It will feature two WNBA regulation sized courts, advanced training and recovery spaces.
“What we have in return, for this long-term lease of city land is 2,200 hours of community use and full access to the space the elite athletes are training in,” Chow said.
“This performance centre is about building the foundation for sustained excellence,” added Tempo General Manager Monica Wright Rogers. “Our players deserve a world-class environment that supports every aspect of their development, and our community deserves access to spaces that inspire the next generation. This facility will be both.”
Among the latest upgrades, the performance centre will include a strength and conditioning space, hydrotherapy pools, private locker room areas, lounges, and dining spaces.
Deputy Mayor Malik explained that the facility will also improve access to recreation for community residents while reinforcing the city’s role in women’s sports and inclusivity.
“This new facility is a game-changer for local residents and Toronto’s waterfront communities. By combining a world-class training centre with high-quality public recreation space to enjoy in all seasons, I am proud to ensure that everyone has better access to sports, programs alongside park and recreation amenities that make our city stronger and more connected.”
The Tempo are set to open their first ever training camp at theUniversity of Toronto’s Goldring Centre next week. The WNBA team will play their first exhibition game in Toronto on April 29 with their regular season home opener scheduled for May 8 against the Washington Mystics.
