Tempo is building ahead of a historic moment in Toronto women’s sports. As the city prepares to host its first-ever WNBA game on April 29, plans were unveiled on April 17 for a dedicated performance centre at Exhibition Place, set to become the future training home of the Toronto Tempo, the city’s newly established franchise.

In addition to serving as a high-performance training home for the Tempo, the facility will also have guaranteed public access to serve grassroots communities. Pending the city council’s approval, the centre is expected to be ready by 2028, steps away from the team’s home arena, the Coca-Cola Coliseum.

The single-storey training facility was designed by the architecture firm HOK for Kilmer Group and the City of Toronto. It will feature two WNBA regulation courts, state-of-the-art player amenities, and world-class locker rooms. It will also include dedicated sports medicine, sports performance, and recovery areas, as well as expansive player lounges, fuel bars, and a dining area.

Repurposing an underused site

According to Urban Toronto, the centre will repurpose an underused overflow parking lot on the block bordered by Lake Shore Boulevard West, Strachan Avenue, Fleet Street, and Fort York Boulevard.

Delivered through a long-term lease arrangement on city-owned land, the facility will have guaranteed public use, including a minimum of 2,200 hours annually across the gymnasium, training areas, and multipurpose spaces.

“This performance centre is about building the foundation for sustained excellence,” says Monica Wright Rogers, the Tempo’s general manager. “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. This facility will be both.”

“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,” says Paul Harrison, design principal for HOK.

“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. With year-round access to recreation, new park space, and inclusive programming, this project delivers real benefits for residents while strengthening Toronto’s leadership in women’s sport,” says Mayor Olivia Chow.