SEATTLE (AP) — Alisha Valavanis walked around as the new performance center for the Seattle Storm was unveiled on Thursday filled mostly with joy and a little sadness.
The joy for the CEO of the Storm — who has been with the team for nearly a decade — came from helping bring to completion the second standalone practice facility dedicated to a WNBA team following the Las Vegas Aces last year.
The twinge of sadness for Valavanis was personal. Valavanis’ father, Spero, was an architect that created some of the initial design ideas for the facility. Eventually, a team of architects created the final building, but Valavanis said there were legal pads and napkins that had drawings and ideas from her dad which led to the finished product.
Her father never saw what the final building looked like with the two practice courts, an area for high performance training, therapy pools, a massive locker room and player lounge. He died earlier this year.
Rybakina, Vondroušová into Stuttgart quarters while Jabeur out
No casualties reported in Russian city of Orsk after dam breach
Mexico evacuates 34 citizens from violence
Archie Cooley, the college football coach whose innovative offense launched Jerry Rice, has died
Chile to recall ambassador from Venezuela for consultations
Syrian, Russian forces destroy terrorist strongholds in N. Syria
China releases ecological protection compensation regulations
Fire in truck carrying lithium ion batteries leads to 3
UN plans mission to Gaza's Al Shifa hospital after Israeli withdrawal
EU proposes youth mobility agreement with UK to help youngsters travel, work and live in both areas
China urges U.S., Japan, Philippines to stop undermining regional peace, stability