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Bulls Tue Sep 16 2014
Chicago Bulls Unveil Advocate Center
The Chicago Bulls hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the team's new downtown training facility, the Advocate Center. In June 2012, the Bulls announced their decision to relocate their training facility to Chicago in an effort to improve player convenience while helping collaboration between the team's basketball operations and front office staff. Within the next year, the Bulls selected a site location and broke ground across from the United Center on South Wood Street between Monroe and Madison Streets. In June 2014, the team announced an expanded multi-year agreement with Advocate, which included naming the training facility the "Advocate Center."
Mayor Rahm Emanuel was on hand to take part in the opening of the Advocate Center. He talked about how this investment by the Chicago Bulls will help drive the revitalization of a great neighborhood.
Approximately 60,000-square-feet in size, the Advocate Center features a "saw-toothed façade" on the west side of the building. The north side of the building features a glass wall, allowing Bulls fans to view the team's six championship banners hanging from the building's rafters as they walk along Madison Street.
Our banners overlooking Madison Street. #AdvocateCenter pic.twitter.com/iLZJ6YHeUb
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 11, 2014The Bulls also announced the 2014 Training Camp schedule, with the first day of training camp and Media Day opening Sept. 29.
Since 1992, the Bulls practice facility has been at the Sheri L. Berto Center in north suburban Deerfield, but now having a facility directly across the street from the United Center, it will help in growth of the community. Bulls Vice President John Paxson said the team wanted to move from the Berto Center to downtown Chicago because players choose to live downtown now.
The main level of the facility houses two full-size basketball courts, expanded locker rooms with therapeutic hydro-pools, a video room, coaches' offices, an updated weight room and a designated media room. The first floor is also equipped with a customized Gatorade Sports Fuel Bar to assist in the training, hydration and recovery of the players. The second floor contains a green roof terrace, executive offices, conference rooms and a perched cardio room.
This court is almost ready for action. Sneak peek inside the new #AdvocateCenter pic.twitter.com/PFHyS5cthc
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 11, 2014The firm 360 Architecture was the lead project architect for the Advocate Center, and McHugh Construction served as general contractor. The Bulls plan to sell the Berto Center.
