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The practice facilities in the WNBA are not always the most glamorous. Take, for instance, the Chicago Sky practicing in a public rec center or the Connecticut Sun sharing their practice court with a toddler’s birthday party in the middle of a playoff run.
But the same can’t be said of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. At least, not in the near future. According to local news station WTHR 13, the Fever are planning to build a three-story, $78 million practice facility that is set to open in 2027. Additionally, the new facility will be publicly funded by the team’s owners, according to the report.
The organization plans to build the new facility on the site of an old county jail. It will become part of the Pacers Sports & Entertainment campus and connect to the team’s arena, Gainbridge Fieldhous, via skybridge.
Caitlin Clark And Indiana Fever Aiming To Become ‘Epicenter Of Women’s Sports’
“We are excited to partner with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to identify the perfect location for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center,” owner Herb Simon said in a statement. “The city of Indianapolis continues to be a tremendous partner as we elevate our team, players and community.”
But perhaps the most eye-opening point is that the facility will be specific to the Fever. They will not share space with the Pacers or any other team.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment says the planned facility will include:
- Two regulation-sized basketball courts
- “Premier” strength and conditioning equipment
- A yoga and Pilates area, hydration station and full-service kitchen
- A “spa-like retreat” with massage, infrared light therapy, sauna, steam, heat studios, float tank and hydrotherapy pools
- Private outdoor courtyard and “mental performance spaces”
- A hair and nail salon, childcare space and podcast and content production studio
Mel Raines, the CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment says that the goal is “Indianapolis becoming the epicenter of women’s sports.” While only time will tell if that happens, this is undoubtedly a huge step in the right direction.