Werth Family UConn Basketball Champions Center

University of Connecticut’s dual program basketball success is unprecedented. So it was not surprising when the university planned a new state-of-the-art practice and training facility with equal programming for the Men’s and Women’s basketball programs.  The facility is located in the heart of the Storrs campus adjacent to their arena, Gampel Paviliion, aka Game Day Arena.  

The project included one and a half full size courts for the Men’s and for the Women’s programs, weight training and locker rooms, film, study, dining, and coaches facilities, and separate state of art hydrotherapy pools.  

One of the main technical challenges was to economically design for a safe and manageable amount of snow on the roof.  Climatological testing helped determine the right snow depths for flat, sliding, and drifted conditions, and we also provided a snow drifting control plan to help the building managers keep the loading on the roof within limits.

Another key challenge was to properly design and detail the state of the art hydrotherapy pool so that it could be affordably built without leaking.  We carefully detailed the sequencing of the formwork and deck pours to accommodate the special pool requirements.  Our past experience with other similar pools paid big dividends for us here.  

The facility opened in late 2014 and the Connecticut basketball programs have continued to thrive with their athletes training in this incredible facility.