Bold headline: A premier women’s sports hub gets a new identity, signaling a bold commitment to elite care and performance—and this name marks the start of a broader, community-forward partnership.
The Portland Thorns and Portland Fire’s joint training facility in Hillsboro now carries the name Kaiser Permanente Performance Center.
RAJ Sports, the parent group behind the NWSL club and the upcoming WNBA team set to debut in 2026, announced the designation on February 5 for the facility located at the intersection of Northeast Aloclek Drive and Northeast Evergreen Parkway.
This naming solidifies Kaiser Permanente as the official medical provider and team physician for both teams. Kaiser clinicians will deliver on-site care, overseeing sports medicine, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and mental health services to support athletes throughout their careers.
“Our aim is to deliver the best care in women’s sports,” said Lisa Bhathal Merage, governor of the Thorns and Fire and managing partner of RAJ Sports. “Kaiser Permanente brings the expertise needed to elevate performance, prevent injuries, and sustain long, successful careers.”
Beyond elite care, RAJ Sports notes plans to collaborate with Kaiser Permanente on community initiatives that address health disparities, promote youth development, and empower girls and women across the region.
The facility, announced in 2025 and opening this year, will be a first-of-its-kind, dual-purpose complex designed specifically for women athletes. It features dedicated zones for training, sports medicine, recovery, rehabilitation, and mental health resources.
Key features include a 90,000-square-foot main building, a 17,000-square-foot practice gym with two full-size basketball courts, two outdoor soccer pitches, an outdoor training area, and a 5,000-square-foot strength-and-conditioning space with an outdoor turf zone and a yoga room.
The center will house advanced performance labs, dedicated medical suites, and wellness spaces. Separate dressing rooms, meeting rooms, social-media content spaces, and family rooms will serve each team. A full-service dining room staffed by a chef and a nutritionist will provide nutrition support.
Private parking and secure entry for players are planned, along with community spaces that will host clinics, classes, youth programs, and public health initiatives.
RAJ Sports notes that it is the only ownership group in the United States to operate both a National Women’s Soccer League club and a WNBA franchise, underscoring a distinctive cross-sport, women-focused leadership approach.
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