On Tuesday, Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta and the Fertitta family invited media members to an early preview tour of the team’s new training center, which is scheduled for completion in summer 2024. The facility is located minutes north from The Post Oak Hotel, which is also owned by Fertitta on Houston’s I-610 West Loop.
Since opening Toyota Center in 2003, the Rockets have trained on a single practice court inside the building. Fertitta, who bought the franchise in October 2017, has stated a desire on multiple occasions to build a new facility with multiple practice courts.
As such, Tuesday’s tour offered a first look as construction approaches the halfway mark of its scheduled 14-month process. The facility’s framework was shown, including locations and layout for dual-courts; locker room, treatment, and conditioning areas; workspace for the front office and coaching staff; and various other amenities.
Artist renderings for the final vision were on display. As part of an introductory press conference in April for new head coach Ime Udoka, Fertitta estimated the total cost at $70 million.
“We’re the only team that has their own private 767 [aircraft] to fly around in,” Fertitta said in response to a question about spending. “We’re building a $70-million practice facility, right now.”
Because it remains an active construction site, closed-toed shoes and long pants were required for attendees, with further personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety gear distributed on site.
Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations for the Rockets, guided the tour. Once completed, Fertitta addressed media members and answered several questions regarding the facility.
Here’s our roundup of the sights, scenes, and what was learned. At 75,000 square feet, the Rockets are tripling the size of their current Toyota Center training infrastructure, according to the team.
Dec. 12 new practice facility tour
Rockets giving a sneak peek at the new training facility under construction pic.twitter.com/HQg4aj7RDR
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 12, 2023
Inside the new Rockets practice facility, which is 50 percent complete pic.twitter.com/RsFMd8CaKv
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 12, 2023
The Rockets are unveiling parts of the new practice facility today as the media will take a tour of the new facility pic.twitter.com/T3NWPTQ7dQ
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 12, 2023
Media are touring the #Rockets new practice facility today, which is about 50% complete.
Attached are concept photos of the finished product.
Expected completion summer 2024. pic.twitter.com/5u8AGd7OKt
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 12, 2023
Here is some more renderings of what the facility will look like. It will also have locker rooms pic.twitter.com/fJUiMoebXq
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 12, 2023
Hoops are not in yet. pic.twitter.com/k5GMLGhgLf
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 12, 2023
Getting a chance to view the future Houston Rockets training facility. Tentatively scheduled to open Summer 2024. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/clVHvbGeuS
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) December 12, 2023
We’ll be chatting with Tilman Fertitta about the project later this afternoon.
Follow along @chron for updates ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QQcW6LeQKY
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) December 12, 2023
More renderings of what the Rockets practice facility will look like upon completion pic.twitter.com/s6uXz9vkJ5
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 12, 2023
Another look (sort of) of how things will look at the Rockets training facility to be pic.twitter.com/G8iyRNZ3Lk
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 12, 2023
The Memorial Hermann Houston Rockets training center will be 75,000 square feet, which is triple the space they have at Toyota Center with the projected cost coming in at $70 million
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 12, 2023
Some of the pictures of what the Memorial Herman Houston Rockets Training Center will look like!
Project is set to be completed by summer 2024. pic.twitter.com/HrSG9anfqL
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) December 12, 2023
GM Rafael Stone, Coach Ime Udoka, Team President Gretchen Sheirr pic.twitter.com/KdVtATUdik
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) December 12, 2023
The Rockets new training center — scheduled for completion in summer 2024 — is a $70 million project complete with dual courts, locker room, lounge area, dining space and much more. pic.twitter.com/yB2LwAUdKH
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 12, 2023
Rockets brass in what will theoretically be the “war room” in the new practice facility where GM Rafael Stone and his team will make draft decisions. Stone pointed out they’re putting in a window specifically to get oxygen flow because, “we’re dumb enough as it is,” he joked. pic.twitter.com/T2SGvMNPhf
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) December 12, 2023
Ime Udoka outside his office pic.twitter.com/nlpkoOs0Iz
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 12, 2023
Tilman Fertita's office (it's not done.) pic.twitter.com/Bel2mhCq7Y
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 12, 2023
Tilman Fertitta on #Rockets facility:
“It’s going to be brand new, state of the art. … This is a great recruiting tool for free agents to have a facility like that.” pic.twitter.com/hoqTdZjXyS
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) December 12, 2023
Just finished the tour and it is going to be a state of the art facility
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 12, 2023
Tilman Fertita saying the facility will provide "an edge." pic.twitter.com/P7OuoOjHCZ
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 12, 2023
Rockets coach Ime Udoka said he knew the team had a plan for a new training. “Not saying this is what won me over,” he said, but having been with teams (including Boston) that have newer facilities he knows what a difference it can make to players and staff. pic.twitter.com/Y3c6P0qZA7
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) December 12, 2023
