Houston: $25M basketball facility to dazzle UH recruits

HOUSTON – The University of Houston (UH) will begin construction on a $25 million basketball practice facility this week. The 53,000-sf, multi-level basketball development facility — the Houston Basketball Development Facility — will serve as the headquarters for the men’s and women’s programs.

The facility will be built adjacent to Hofheinz Pavilion, where the Cougars currently practice and play games. The estimated completion date is August 2015.

New UH men’s coach Kelvin Sampson said the facility is a must to remain competitive with other teams nationally and in the American Athletic Conference.

“We don’t have a choice,” Sampson said. “If we want to compete in this league, then we cannot be at a competitive disadvantage. If you are the coach at the University of Houston, you want to be in a fair fight. You want to be able to have equal footing with other teams in the league.”

The school released three renderings of the project, which show a modern exterior that will keep the look of the facility in line with other nearby projects, including TDECU Stadium. A large glass entrance greets visitors on the Cullen Blvd. side.

The first level will include separate basketball courts for the men’s and women’s basketball teams — with the same specifications of those in games at Hofheinz — as well as sports performance and sports medicine areas that will be shared by both programs.

The second level will feature modern locker rooms, academic/film theaters and a player lounge. The offices for coaching and support staff will be on the third level.

The cost of the facility will be privately funded, following budget approval for the project by the UH Board of Regents in late February.

Read more at the University of Houston.