SEATTLE — A brand-new facility for the Seattle Storm is now being built in the city’s Interbay neighborhood.
On Monday afternoon, the team broke ground on the new practice facility, expected to be completed next spring, just in time for the start of their 2024 season.
Storm legend Sue Bird may be retired, but she said she was thrilled to participate in the celebration and see the support from the community.
“It marks the future of Storm basketball, and even though I will not get to use it the ways in which I would like, I’m certain I’m gonna have a key. I’m certain I will have a locker. But, more than anything, I feel really fortunate that I’m one of the players that’s part of the legacy that brought us to this day,” said Bird.
Currently, the franchise is split among three different buildings. The players use the courts at Seattle Pacific University, and their offices are divided between property in Interbay and the Seattle Center.
The new training facility will be known as the Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance. It will combine all of the team’s facilities into one central location with side-by-side courts, a full locker room and lounge, as well as strength, conditioning and nutrition facilities.
Mayor Bruce Harrell was also on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony and noted the facility would be the first in the United States specifically dedicated to professional women athletes.
The space is also meant to be a part of the community, with plans to eventually host training camps for youth players there.