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Detroit Pistons Release Plans for New Practice Facility

Detroit Pistons performance center rendering

Plans for a Detroit Pistons practice facility were released on Friday, marking a step toward the move of team operations to downtown Detroit. 

The Pistons, who are expected to move to the new Little Caesars Arena this fall, have unveiled plans for a new facility that will include the team’s headquarters and training space. The announcement was made with Henry Ford Health System, which has signed on as the naming rights partner for the Henry Ford – Detroit Pistons Performance Center

To be located in the New Center section of Detroit, the facility is expected to open prior to the 2018-19 NBA season. It will be built on a parcel owned by Henry Ford between Wayne State University and Henry Ford Hospital, approximately two miles north of the new Little Caesars Arena.

Construction is expected to begin this summer.

As part of the agreement, Henry Ford will become the official health care provider for the Pistons beginning with the 2017-18 NBA season, and will have naming rights for the new performance center complex.

“This is a groundbreaking alliance between two institutions committed to making a difference in Detroit,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “We are very excited to work with Henry Ford Health System on this innovative project. It’s a long-term partnership that establishes another building block in the revitalization and rebuilding of our city.  It’s also an important investment in our team, providing Stan and our players with the best training and development resources available anywhere.”

“Tom has often described the Pistons as a ‘community asset,’ and we feel the same way about Henry Ford Health System,” Wright L. Lassiter III, the president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System said. “We have always believed that investing in our community and supporting our neighbors is vital to the healthcare we provide.  We are so pleased to partner with the Pistons on this exciting new venture to combine Henry Ford’s medical excellence and innovation with a world class facility to serve our community for years to come.”

Stan Van Gundy, President of Basketball Operations and head coach of the Pistons, said the new performance center will be innovative and unparalleled in the NBA.

“It’s going to be a state-of-the-art performance center for our players, augmenting our normal practice facility resources with comprehensive health, conditioning, nutrition and medical support,” Van Gundy said. “It will bring together basketball, nutrition, training, treatment and rehabilitation resources under one roof, in an environment that will put our players in the best position to succeed.”

“Beyond this wonderful new complex, it’s truly a privilege for us to become the official health care provider of the Detroit Pistons,”said Bob Riney, president president, health care operations and COO of Henry Ford Health System. “Henry Ford is the only provider in Michigan that offers a true ‘team medicine’ approach.  Knowing that a patient’s needs extend beyond orthopedics, we provide a broad range of specialists with sports medicine training, including everything from neuroscience and cardiology, to sleep medicine and pain management.”

In addition to the center’s sports, training and medical facilities, the privately-financed facility will include corporate offices for the Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) staff, as well as public activation spaces.

“The team at Henry Ford Health System shares our commitment to community and our vision of creating a center that will be an asset for everyone in Detroit,” said PS&E vice chairman Arn Tellem.  “It’s an ambitious project that will create more jobs, generate new revenue for the city, deliver innovative medical services and provide new space for community programs.”

City of Detroit mayor Mike Duggan praised the investment and organization’s future business and basketball relocation as more evidence of the city’s continued turnaround.

“This is an exciting time for our city.  Not only will we have all four major sports teams playing here, all of their corporate headquarters now will be in Detroit as well,” said mayor Duggan.  “All of this development will bring a significant economic impact to our city and jobs for our residents.”

Detroit Pistons Performance Center rendering4

The facility is slated to feature numerous basketball-related amenities, including:

  • Innovative player locker room and lounge
  • Full-service kitchen/dining facilities and personal chef
  • Spacious weight room facility with state-of-the art equipment
  • Film and study meeting rooms
  • Advanced training room capabilities with full hydro and cryogenic treatment systems
  • Green space and courtyard locations for outside access and views of city
  • Production studio and media/interview rooms
  • Private and public parking structure to be used by both Detroit Pistons and Henry Ford personnel
  • Dedicated Henry Ford Health System Sports Medicine Building – connected to performance center

The Henry Ford – Detroit Pistons Performance Center will also be utilized for youth basketball clinics, and other events. It is also slated to include lobbies and other spaces that could be used for public events.

Renderings courtesy Detroit Pistons.

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