Take A Tour Of The Bulls New Practice Facility (Videos)
Wednesday night, the Chicago Bulls open up the 2014-15 season, with a nationally televised game at the New York Knicks. In addition to what will hopefully be an injury free campaign for superstar guard Derrick Rose, one of the most notable changes to the way the Bulls do business will involve the place the team conducts practice.
After nearly three decades of working out in Chicago's Northern Suburbs, this season will mark the grand opening of the club's brand new practice facility, located directly across the street from the United Center (UC).
The $25 million, state-of-the-art Advocate Center (naming rights owned by Advocate Health Care of Downers Grove, Illinois) features two courts, locker, training, rehab and workout rooms, as well as basketball operations offices, player lounges and a chef's kitchen.
The 60,000-square-foot complex also boasts a film room, accompanied by a 95-inch screen, and a Gatorade Sports Fuel Bar.
Perhaps the most unique exterior aspect of the building with involve the public showcasing of the Bulls' six championship banners, stationed in the windows of the team's weightlifting area.
For the last 25 years, the Bulls have trained at the Berto Center, located 25 miles to the north in Deerfield. Like their United Center co-tenants, the Blackhawks, the Bulls elected to move back into the city for practice, simply because most their players already call America's third largest metropolis home.
Instead of forcing most players to commute back-and-forth between the city and suburbs (often times in heavy traffic or bad weather), the entire operation of both teams is now based within a short distance to the Chicago Loop.
Back in 2010, the Blackhawks moved from suburban Bensenville (19 miles northwest of the UC), to Johnny's IceHouse West, located just 0.9 miles from their home arena.
Here are multiple video tours of the Advocate Center, courtesy of WGN-TV and the Chicago Tribune.
