University of Washington Breaks Ground on New ICA Basketball Training Facility

Seattle, Wash. – The University of Washington (UW), in partnership with Integrated Design-Build partners Mortenson and Gensler, broke ground on the University of Washington’s new ICA Basketball Training Facility on Wednesday, August 7. The spacious 36,000-square-foot home for the men’s and women’s basketball programs enhances training and development opportunities for Husky student-athletes by creating equitable spaces for each program.

“We’re so proud and appreciative of everyone’s commitment to our basketball program. We are extraordinarily committed to this program because we recognize that when UW basketball wins, it’s more than trophies. It’s more than championships. It’s legacy and impact. It’s pretty humbling to be around programs that have legacy and impact,” said Pat Chun, Director of Athletics. “Every day behind these walls, we will be about the holistic development of the student-athlete. It won’t be just about basketball. It will be about how we grow young people into our future leaders of tomorrow.”

“The most important thing for us is community. We are braver and stronger when we do things together,” said Tina Langley, WBB Head Coach.

 “The Big Ten is a facility-driven league. And now we’re going to be at the top of that. This facility is going to be the front porch of everything we do. This is going to be a home for our players which is going to be tremendous in their development and their overall experience at the University of Washington,” said Danny Sprinkle, MBB Head Coach.

The Training Facility includes two 9,800-square-foot practice courts, individually dedicated to the men’s or women’s basketball program for exclusive 24/7 access, proudly demonstrating the University’s dedication to Title IX. By providing fair and equitable spaces with cutting-edge equipment for both basketball programs, the UW creates an environment that cultivates champions, builds a sense of community, and upholds Husky tradition.

“This groundbreaking is the much-anticipated culmination of an exciting partnership with the University of Washington Athletics and Mortenson. This new Women’s and Men’s basketball training facility is designed to provide an inclusive and equitable environment where every student-athlete can thrive, feel valued, and reach their full potential, ensuring that each has the opportunity to succeed both on and off the court,” said Francesly Sierra, Project Manager, Gensler Seattle.

Additional features include viewing and gathering spaces, a conference and recruiting room, and 4,000 square feet of renovations to create new internal connections between the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion and Graves Annex Strength and Conditioning space to synergize flow between all student-athlete spaces and the rest of campus. Significant site improvements within and around the facility ensure accessibility for all individuals regardless of ability. A new student plaza surrounded by signature landscaping and site lighting provides a memorable atmosphere year-round for students and community members, alongside consolidated parking and improved external circulation to better serve game-day crowds.

“The team of UW, Mortenson, Gensler and consultants embodies the Husky basketball cultureof grit, growth mindset, humility, and committed service. It’s always humbling to be part of something that will serve generations to come. I’m proud to play a role in growing UW Athletic’s commitment to equitable built environments for men’s and women’s sports. GO DAWGS!” said Tamara Hartner, Design Phase Manager, Mortenson Seattle.

The project, grounded in an equitable approach, also pays attention to environmental impact. Throughout construction, Mortenson is committed to the sustainable construction framework known as the “Contractors Commitment,” which impacts and tracks activities in categories from job site wellness and carbon emissions to waste planning, water management, and materials selection. The project site’s proximity to Lake Washington means that implementing a robust water plan to create broader team accountability guided by Salmon-Safe practices is imperative. The project’s LEED Gold V4 Certification target, which includes embodied carbon thresholds for materials and waste and water tracking requirements, is a testament to the Design-Build team and UW’s dedication to environmental consciousness and responsible construction practices. In support of the UW’s Business Equity Inclusion goals and Mortenson’s trade partner program, the project is also dedicated to providing meaningful contracting and career opportunities for small, diverse businesses and apprenticeships.

The project is targeting completion in the Fall of 2025. For up-to-date information regarding the project’s status, please visit https://facilities.uw.edu/projects/intercollegiate-athletics-basketball-training-facility.