Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Toronto Tempo WNBA franchise and the City of Toronto have unveiled plans for a new $100-million high-performance training centre at Exhibition Place, marking a significant milestone for both the expansion team and the city’s sports infrastructure.
The purpose-built facility, designed by global architecture firm HOK, will be located on an underused parking lot near the Prince’s Gate, steps from the team’s home arena at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The project is being developed through a partnership where the team will privately fund the construction costs while leasing the land from the city.
The $100-million (CAD) project cost was confirmed in a formal announcement by the City of Toronto and in subsequent financial reports by the Sports Business Journal and NOW Toronto following the April 17 project unveiling.
Scheduled to open in 2028, the Toronto Tempo Performance Centre will be the first dedicated WNBA training facility in Canada. Construction is slated to begin this fall, pending final City Council approval.
“This performance centre is about building the foundation for sustained excellence,” Monica Wright Rogers, general manager of the Tempo, said in a news release. “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.”
The structure is designed with an “athlete-first” approach while doubling as a community hub. According to HOK, the design is rooted in principles of inclusive access, sustainability, and future adaptability.
Key features include:
- Two WNBA-regulation basketball courts.
- Advanced sports medicine, recovery, and performance areas, including hydrotherapy pools, a sauna, and wellness consultation rooms.
- A dedicated locker room featuring individual showers, salon and vanity spaces, and a mother’s room.
- A fully equipped theatre for film study and dedicated conference rooms for team development.
- Expansive player lounges and a dining area focused on nutritional health.
“This project represents a powerful opportunity to create not only an exceptional environment for elite athlete development, but a lasting symbol of equity, civic pride, and cultural identity,” said Paul Harrison, design principal for HOK.
A unique aspect of tdevelopment is its integration with public space. The project includes the construction of two outdoor basketball courts, a mini-pitch, new parkland, and public washrooms.
Under the agreement with the City of Toronto, the facility will provide at least 2,200 hours of annual public access for community programming during the off-season and when the team is traveling.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow praised the partnership for its dual focus on professional excellence and public benefit.
“We’re partnering with the Toronto Tempo to turn an underused site into a world-class facility that serves both professional athletes and the public,” Chow said. “This project delivers real benefits for residents while strengthening Toronto’s leadership in women’s sport.”
The project is being spearheaded by Kilmer Sports Ventures, led by Toronto-based billionaire Larry Tanenbaum, who paid a reported US$50 million for the WNBA expansion franchise. While the construction cost is being fully covered by the Tempo, the long-term lease of the Exhibition Place lands ensures the facility remains a permanent fixture of the city’s waterfront sports district.
The Tempo is scheduled to tip off its inaugural season in May 2026, using temporary facilities until the new centre is completed for the 2028 season.
