Work has commenced on a new performance centre for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Charlotte Hornets have announced partners for a new training complex adjacent to Spectrum Center.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday (Monday) to celebrate the start of work on the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, which will span more than 210,000 square feet.
The Populous-designed complex will form part of Bedrock Real Estate’s wider $3.5bn (£2.7bn/€3.2bn) Cuyahoga Riverfront Master Plan. The groundbreaking ceremony also saw the Cavaliers announce a new 25-year partnership with Cleveland Clinic, which will hold naming rights to the complex.
The facility will serve as a training hub for the Cavaliers and will feature advanced technology and equipment, best-in-class biomechanical testing systems, high-tech equipment with integrated data analytics, virtual reality and simulation technology, and wearable sensors for performance monitoring.
The Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center will also offer care for the general public, with an interdisciplinary centre to provide access to testing and training equipment, as well as expert professionals from various fields.
The facility is expected to open in 2027. Populous has designed the complex in collaboration with the Cavaliers and Bedrock.
Dan Gilbert, chairman of the Cavaliers and Bedrock Real Estate, said: “Today’s groundbreaking of the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center is one of the first steps in transforming and revitalising the Cuyahoga riverfront.
“Combining our practice facility with the sports medicine experts from the Cleveland Clinic means that not only will our players have access to the best possible care, but so will the residents of Cleveland and the surrounding areas – creating a multiplier effect that will benefit both the City and the Cavaliers.”
Meanwhile, the Hornets have announced that Populous, management consulting firm CAA Icon, and construction firms Gilbane Building Company and R.J. Leeper Construction will form part of the project team for the franchise’s new performance centre.
The City of Charlotte, which approved the project in March, will also form part of the team.
Work on the Charlotte Hornets Performance Center is due to begin in early 2025, with the complex set to feature over 160,000 square feet of training, administrative and retail space.
As well as training, practice and recovery space for the Hornets, the complex will feature retail space and a public plaza. The complex is expected to be open in time for the 2026-27 season.
The Hornets are committed to fully funding costs that exceed the $30m provided by the City of Charlotte. This deal forms part of a larger agreement that will keep the Hornets in Charlotte until at least 2045.
In May, the Hornets commenced work on a major renovation of Spectrum Center, marking the official start of the ‘Re!magine Spectrum Center’ project.
The upgrades will include more gathering spaces, modifications to better support crowd flow, and a revamped main concourse. An additional 2,500 lower-level seats will also be added to the arena in 2025.
The new performance centre will be constructed at a site adjacent to Spectrum Center, the Hornets’ home arena since 2005.
Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, co-chairmen of Hornets Sports & Entertainment, said: “Following the first phase of our Re!magine Spectrum Center project, the new performance centre is the next step as we work toward our vision of building the premier franchise in the NBA and operating world-class facilities.
“This performance centre will provide our Hornets players with NBA best-in-class facilities to improve all aspects of their performance, training and health. We remain dedicated to investing in this community, and the City of Charlotte, and the development of this site is a key aspect in that. Our building partners are truly some of the best in the business – both here in Charlotte and around the world. We appreciate the collaboration of all parties involved and cannot wait to break ground on this project.”
