Portland Thorns and Portland Fire open $150M joint training facility

The Portland Thorns of the NWSL and the Portland Fire of the WNBA have opened a new $150 million joint training facility in Hillsboro, Oregon. Owned by Raj Sports and led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, the 12-acre campus is the first purpose-built performance center designed for a pair of professional women’s teams in different sports.

The repurposed Nike office complex features two full-sized outdoor soccer fields and a 17,000-square-foot gymnasium containing two basketball courts, a weight room, and conference rooms. The facility includes specialized amenities such as a meditation and massage area, a Pilates and yoga studio, an underwater treadmill for recovery, and dedicated nursing rooms and a nursery for players who are parents.

Lisa Bhathal Merage stated the intention was to create a “spa-like atmosphere” for the athletes. The facility also includes a trophy case and plans to showcase local artisans through rotating artwork.