(The following text was provided by MATC’s Marketing & Communications Department.)
MATC is excited to announce it is exploring the lease of a new shared-use athletic training facility in Deer District near the college’s Downtown Milwaukee Campus. The announcement follows approval of the project concept by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board at its July board meeting.
The college envisions a facility that would primarily serve MATC’s fitness and health programs, and athletics, including women’s basketball, men’s basketball and women’s volleyball. The shared-use facility, which would be co-developed and co-owned by the Milwaukee Bucks and J. Jeffers & Company, could also allow for community engagement and rentals for camps, educational programs and events.
“Our student-athletes and the MATC community deserve a new facility to serve our athletics programs and aid in our ability to attract and retain students,” said MATC President Anthony Cruz, Ed.D. “Community colleges across the country are growing their offerings to enhance the student experience. We are fortunate to collaborate with two quality, well-known local partners to potentially bring a best-in-class facility to our students and community.”
If plans advance, construction could begin as early as the second quarter in 2025. The facility would include a 15,000-square-foot double-course gymnasium that seats up to 1,000, a fitness center, locker rooms, concessions, meeting rooms and other amenities for a total of just over 26,000 square feet. In addition, J. Jeffers & Company will build and manage 220 housing units above the proposed athletic facility.
“MATC is a vibrant, transformative, and diverse technical college, and we are delighted that the college’s leaders are exploring a first-class sports venue in Deer District for their students’ recreation and highly acclaimed sports teams,” said Michael Belot, Bucks Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Chief Real Estate Development Officer. “We’re excited that Deer District is rapidly growing as a hub for the city’s future, serving as Milwaukee’s premier year-round destination to live, work, and play.”
The facility also serves to attract and retain students to the college. MATC’s Stormers men’s basketball team won its first-ever National Junior College Athletic Association Division II championship in 2023, and other athletic teams are moving up to NJCAA Division II, which means the college can offer students additional athletic scholarships.
Additional details about the athletic training facility will be shared as plans progress.
