HILLSBOROUGH, Ore. — Inside the sprawling new training center shared by the Portland Thorns and the Portland Fire, visitors quickly notice a recurring theme: everything comes in pairs.
The 100,000-square-foot complex, built at a cost exceeding $150 million, features two full-sized basketball courts for the WNBA expansion team and two full-sized soccer pitches—one grass, one synthetic turf—for the three-time NWSL champions, the Thorns.
There are twin team lounges, each outfitted with plush seating, throw pillows, and an array of athlete-preferred snacks ranging from Cheez-Its to peanut butter and jelly-stuffed dates. Both locker rooms offer generous storage space per player—plus additional shelving for goalkeepers—and include USB-C charging ports inside each stall. Two dedicated meeting rooms serve the teams and staff, while dual saunas are illuminated with sleek, recessed lighting.
The basketball facilities inside the center (Raj Sports)
Yet it’s the shared common areas at the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center where the true synergy emerges. The 5,000-square-foot weight room, expansive treatment bay, and central cafeteria are accessible to both organizations—a design choice that former Thorns general manager and current Raj Sports executive vice president Karina LeBlanc sees as transformative.
“Soccer and basketball players might find themselves sharing breakfast,” LeBlanc envisioned, picturing casual exchanges like, “Hey, what are you listening to? Where did you go last night?” For athletes navigating personal challenges, she added, the shared spaces offer visibility and support—“where an athlete struggling might be seen by someone who genuinely cares and may have faced similar battles.”
This intentional overlap reflects a broader philosophy behind the facility’s creation. From architectural layout to amenity selection, every element was tailored for today’s elite female athlete. Housing both a storied NWSL franchise and a newly minted WNBA team underscores the rising potential within women’s sports—a movement rooted deeply in Portland’s culture.
Raj Sports first revealed plans for the performance center in February, when the Fire were still referred to only as “Portland WNBA,” awaiting their official name reveal and initial roster moves. Nearly a year later, Canadian forward Bridget Carleton—signed during the April 3, 2026 expansion draft—the joined LeBlanc, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, Paralympian Scout Bassett, and Thorns striker Sophia Wilson on a panel at the Epicenter Women’s Global Sports Summit held at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton.
“I knew we’d be a priority here,” Carleton told The Athletic, citing the organization’s commitment as key in her decision to sign a three-year deal. “Our owners really take care of us—and the Thorns.”
Athlete input shaped much of that care. Designed by global architecture firm Populous, the facility benefited from insights gathered directly from players. Women’s professional sports director Sherri Privitera noted that some athletes wash their hair just once a week and prefer limited shower exposure. In response, handheld showerheads were installed throughout.
Coziness—not typically associated with high-performance training centers—defines the atmosphere inside the former Nike office building. Light, cream-colored wallpaper mimics natural wood grains, while lounge furniture maintains a soft, neutral palette. Even the wellness room’s carpet and ceiling incorporate forest motifs inspired by Pacific Northwest firs, blending serenity with functionality.
The interiors are intentionally softer (Raj Sports)
“It’s clearly built for women—and by women,” Carleton observed. “There’s an energy here unlike anywhere else.”
Medical oversight aligns with that vision. Dr. Jacqueline Brady, a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon and long-time team physician for both clubs, operates out of the on-site treatment center. Her office location allows seamless interaction with athletes, coaches, and support staff.
“Empowering athletes means fostering autonomy and deep understanding of their unique pressures,” Brady explained. “Sometimes what they voice isn’t what truly concerns them. They fear not surgery itself, but questions like: Who’s rehabbing me? Will my team be traveling? How does timing work?”
Fostering communication across disciplines drives many of the center’s operational choices. Among Brady’s favorites is the adjustable partition separating the main training floor—flexible enough to divide or open the space depending on demand.
“Need extra room during Thorns trials while the Fire are inactive? Raise the wall,” she said. “Or combine areas for collaborative therapy sessions—like refining ACL rehab protocols. Flexibility is everything.”
Another standout feature is the AlterG treadmill, which uses a pneumatic harness system to reduce body weight during running—a tool Brady says accelerates safe returns post-injury or surgery.
While the updated WNBA collective bargaining agreement mandates facility benchmarks beginning in 2028, Portland’s new arena already surpasses those standards. The league’s push toward premium facilities gained momentum since the Las Vegas Aces debuted their standalone complex in 2023; others like Seattle, Phoenix, and Golden State followed in subsequent years. Meanwhile, NWSL’s Kansas City Current raised the bar with CPKC Stadium—the first purpose-built venue in the league.
The fitness facilities at the training center (Raj Sports)
Portland’s head start sets a bold precedent. With the Fire set to conclude their inaugural season using the facility, the organization has already secured a competitive edge in free agency recruitment.
“The Kaiser Permanente Performance Center embodies the kind of forward-thinking investment crucial to building a world-class institution,” said owner Alex Bhathal following the unveiling. “We didn’t just meet current needs—we built for the future, crafting a lasting home for our athletes and the Portland community.”
Though Carleton doubts she’ll pick up soccer techniques from her NWSL neighbors, she anticipates rich cross-sport learning in mental conditioning, recovery science, and community engagement—all conversations likely sparked over meals in the communal dining space.
Thorns manager Robert Vilahamn recently expressed excitement about neighboring Fire coach Alex Sarama, telling Fire president Clare Hamill he couldn’t wait to discuss coaching philosophies down the hallway.
“Two powerhouse women’s brands under one roof, in a city passionate about advancing women’s sports,” Hamill reflected. “What we’re doing here is unlike anything else—and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
