CHICAGO — St. John’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are getting a new practice facility.
In a letter to students, university president the Rev. Brian J. Shanley revealed the plans that will include a new recreation center and basketball-only facility. Sources confirmed the news to The Post.
Following a feasibility study conducted by the athletic department over the last few years, the board of trustees approved the plans for basketball, which currently uses Taffner Field House.
Intramural sports also use the building.
The initial plan was a basketball-only building being connected to Taffner Field House, but the school felt this was a better way to proceed.
The school is now moving into the design phase with the hopes of breaking ground next spring.
The basketball building will be a new structure on campus adjacent to Gate 4 while the recreational center will be housed at a remodeled Taffner Field House.
The hope is it will all be finalized by the spring of 2027.
![St. John's has plans to build a new practice facility for their men's and women's basketball teams.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/drives-past-butler-guard-landon-74345371.jpg?w=1024)
![St. John's has plans to build a new practice facility for their men's and women's basketball teams.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/drives-past-butler-guard-landon-74345371.jpg?w=1024)
Coach Rick Pitino has been critical of St. John’s facilities, and Shanley has said on a few occasions that the school needed an upgrade.
It is uncertain how much money it will cost for the new facility to be built.
There are also plans to improve the fan experience at Carnesecca Arena for next year, but those details are still being ironed out.
A formal announcement is expected this week on the new basketball building and recreation center.
This story originally appeared on NYPost