A new purpose-built training facility is being proposed for the Toronto Tempo, marking a major step in supporting Canada’s first WNBA franchise. Planned for 701 Fleet Street just east of Exhibition Place, the project blends professional sports infrastructure with community-focused recreational space.
Delivered through a partnership with the City of Toronto, the facility will be constructed on city-owned land and structured as a long-term lease, ensuring both team use and guaranteed public access.
The project will repurpose an underutilized overflow parking lot bordered by Lake Shore Boulevard West, Strachan Avenue, Fleet Street, and Fort York Boulevard.
Key site elements include:
This approach transforms a low-value land use into a high-impact community and athletic destination.
Urban Toronto reports that the facility is being designed by HOK for the Kilmer Group as a single-storey performance center.
At the heart of the building will be:
The structure will function as the team’s primary practice venue, located within walking distance of Coca-Cola Coliseum, where the team will host games.
The facility is designed to support all aspects of professional athlete development, with a comprehensive mix of spaces.
Training and Player Facilities
Sports Medicine and Recovery
Operational and Support Spaces
From a construction standpoint, these specialized spaces require advanced mechanical systems, precise environmental controls, and durable finishes suited to high-performance use.
A defining feature of the project is its commitment to public access. The City will secure a minimum of 2,200 hours annually for community use across the facility.
Public programming will include:
Programming will be developed in collaboration with local officials and community partners, ensuring the space serves a wide range of users.
Beyond the building, the project includes a significant outdoor component designed to activate the site year-round.
Outdoor features include:
These elements enhance the site’s role as both a training facility and a community recreation hub.
The development combines athletic facility construction with public infrastructure and landscape work, requiring coordination across multiple trades:
The integration of high-performance athletic systems with public-use spaces adds complexity to both design and construction phases.
The project remains subject to final City Council approval, including lease agreements and detailed planning approvals.
If approved, the anticipated timeline includes:
The long-term lease structure allows the City to retain ownership of the land while ensuring ongoing public access to the facility.
This project introduces a hybrid model that combines professional sports infrastructure with community recreation space. By aligning team needs with public access, the development maximizes the utility of the site while delivering value to both athletes and residents.
For construction professionals, this raises an important question: how do you design and build facilities that serve both elite performance requirements and everyday public use?
As the Toronto Tempo prepare for their inaugural season, this facility represents a foundational investment in long-term success. At the same time, it creates a new recreational asset for the surrounding community.
By integrating courts, training spaces, and public amenities into a single site, the project sets a new standard for multi-use sports facility construction.
If realized, this development will not only support professional athletes but also provide a lasting, accessible resource that encourages participation, training, and community engagement across Toronto.