Harvey Alter Owner | LinkedIn
Harvey Alter Owner | LinkedIn
Chicago Sky to build new state-of-the-art practice facility for the 2026 WNBA season
The WNBA performance center will feature multiple regulation-sized courts, 24-hour year-round access, and community partnerships with The Obama Foundation and YMCA of Metro Chicago.
CHICAGO (July 25, 2024) — The Chicago Sky, in partnership with the Village of Bedford Park, will break ground this fall on a new, dedicated, custom-built WNBA performance center, scheduled to be completed by December 2025. The $38 million facility provides over 40 thousand square feet of exclusive space for an exceptional practice facility to Chicago Sky players and home for staff for years to come.
Located on land next to the Wintrust Sports Complex (5499 W 65th St, Bedford Park, IL 60638), the performance center will include two regulation-sized WNBA courts, first-class amenities, private facilities for the players, player lounges, high-tech film room, advanced training room with cutting-edge strength and conditioning equipment, private chef’s kitchen, locker rooms with personalized lockers, secured parking, content creation studio, beauty stations, and more.
The facility will be close to downtown Chicago and Wintrust Arena, enabling players to live downtown, simplify in-season travel and enhance their quality of life via Chicago’s top restaurants, cultural attractions and neighborhoods.
“We could not be more excited to announce a practice facility that will raise the bar on athletic performance set the standard for player amenities and support our players with exceptional resources built exclusively for them,” Nadia Rawlinson, Chicago Sky Co-Owner and Operating Chairman said. “Living in downtown Chicago will also give Sky players the opportunity to experience all of the benefits of our world-class city. We thank Bedford Park who stepped up to be part of the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership for a WNBA practice facility and bring this transformational vision to life.”
“As a lifelong Bedford Park resident educator and coach I am thrilled to announce the expansion of the Wintrust Sports Complex to feature the Chicago Sky’s state-of-the-art practice and training facility,” Village President David R. Brady said. “I want to thank our board and the Sky leadership for believing in a collective vision investing in the future of Bedford Park. We are excited to be part of ‘Skytown’ looking forward to welcoming them to their new home.”
The Sky will also have the opportunity to strengthen its community outreach programming given location’s proximity underserved areas on Chicago’s West South Sides. As part enhanced community outreach Sky are announcing new community partnerships Obama Foundation YMCA Metro Chicago programming at respective new sports facilities.
“Teaming up with the Chicago Sky has allowed us inspire empower connect more young people South Side,” Michael Strautmanis Executive Vice President External Affairs Obama Foundation said. “We’re excited continue work together provide even more opportunities investments our community.”
“The YMCA Metro Chicago is proud partner with Chicago Sky offer exciting new activities programming services strengthen connect our communities,” Dorri McWhorter CEO YMCA Metro Chicago said. “We are so excited that the Chicago Sky will be practicing in our backyard look forward bringing Power Play inspiring joy hope opportunity Bedford Park across Skytown.”
ABOUT THE CHICAGO SKY:
The 2021 WNBA Champion Chicago Sky are a professional women’s basketball team founded in 2005 by principal owner Michael Alter. The Chicago Sky were first independently owned women’s professional basketball team join WNBA play at Wintrust Arena. The season runs from May-September Call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit sky.wnba.com for more information.
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