The Dallas Wings will now oversee the construction of their planned practice facility in Far West Oak Cliff after delays and increased costs led to changes in the project’s management, according to a Mar. 27 report.
The change comes as city officials and team leaders seek to keep the project on track despite significant budget overruns and schedule setbacks. The Dallas City Council voted 13-2 this week to amend its development agreement with the Women’s National Basketball Association franchise, giving the team direct control over building the facility at 1200 North Cockrell Hill Road at Joey Georgusis Park. The city will provide $57 million toward what is now an $81 million project, while the Wings will cover remaining costs.
Originally estimated at $48.6 million and scheduled for completion before the 2025 WNBA season, the nearly 71,000-square-foot training center is now expected to open in 2027. Team CEO and managing partner Greg Bibb said during a council meeting that maintaining quality was essential despite rising expenses: “the organization would not cut corners despite escalating costs,” calling it vital for both player performance and community engagement.
Plans for the new complex include two full basketball courts, a locker room measuring about 3,800 square feet, more than 4,000 square feet dedicated to strength and conditioning areas, as well as multipurpose spaces intended for youth programs and events.
Some members of City Hall have raised concerns about public spending on this project. Council member Cara Mendelsohn was one of two dissenting votes against amending the agreement; she described the city’s financial contribution as too high given possible cuts elsewhere in municipal services.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen ties between professional sports teams and Dallas’ urban core. The city is also advancing renovations at Dallas Memorial Auditorium within Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center—set to become home arena for the Wings—but that renovation has also been delayed until at least 2028. Additionally, there are discussions underway regarding a potential new arena downtown for another major franchise—the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
