A massive skylight centered over a two-lane, 50-foot lap pool is one of the most striking features. The pool is flanked by a therapy pool with an underwater treadmill and cameras that can show doctors how a player is moving. There are hot and cold plunge pools large enough to accommodate up to 20 linemen each. There’s a suite featuring custom-built infrared saunas and Cryotherm plunge pools.
The details are striking. In the hydrotherapy suite is a “Raven Wall” with a custom etching of an artistic raven emblem comprised of 53 – one for each player on the roster – smaller ravens. They’re all painted in Ravens gold.
It’s not as fancy-looking, but there’s a full doctor’s clinic featuring two fully-stocked offices, an isolation room for additional privacy, and an X-ray machine. Players needing immediate medical attention can now get care more quickly.
This week, a new Ammortal Machine retailing at nearly $160,000 will be delivered, making the Ravens only the second team in the NFL to have one in their facility. The machine’s website advertises it as the “fastest way to reset, recharge, and rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit.” Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been using it to deal with his back injury this summer.
“We wanted this area to look and feel like if you went to your own private doctor,” Dixon said.
While better treatment and nutritional facilities (there’s also a rooftop garden growing food for the cafeteria) help players’ bodies, the Ravens also believe it will give them a psychological advantage. It could also give them an advantage when it comes to keeping and recruiting players.
The annual NFLPA report card is one way that players make their voices heard about working conditions in their facilities. It’s also word of mouth.
When it comes to that, the Ravens are getting rave reviews already. Quarterback Tyler Huntley and defensive end Brent Urban were like a “deer in headlights” when they re-signed with Baltimore this offseason and saw the transformation, Dixon said.
“It was pretty cool to see,” Dixon said. “When we start going into free agency next year, the other teams are going to be hard-pressed to steal guys from us. It’s going to make a real impact.”
Ravens Senior Vice President of Operations Simon Gelan, a pillar of the project’s leadership, studied and took inspiration from other team facilities, including the Tottenham Hotspurs, San Antonio Spurs, and Oregon Ducks.
ZGF Architects also designed the Spurs and Ducks projects. Whiting-Turner miraculously got it built in a very tight timeline. And now Ravens players are the beneficiaries.
The Under Armour Performance Center is nicknamed “The Castle” and the reasons why just keep growing.
“Over 20 years ago, Steve Bisciotti’s vision for ‘The Castle’ established a new standard for training facilities across global sport and reflected his commitment to the pursuit of championships and giving players the very best,” Ravens President Sashi Brown stated.
“The sole focus of this renovation and investment was our players. The result is absolutely transformative for our ability to provide our players first-class healthcare and an incredible overall experience. And of course, we are never done or satisfied, nor do we stop innovating, so stay tuned.”