A Woodbridge couple will donate $4.5 million toward the construction of a basketball practice facility at UConn. It's the largest single gift to the UConn Athletics Department ever, the school said.
Peter and Pam Werth made the announcement through the university Thursday.
"We are proud to make this commitment to UConn and its outstanding basketball programs," the Werths said in a statement. "UConn Basketball is a part of the fabric of our state, and we know that this facility will help the men's and women's teams be successful for years to come."
Peter Werth is the founder and CEO of Chemwerth Inc., a generic drug development and supply company based in Connecticut. The Werths are season ticket holders for UConn men's and women's basketball, as well as football, the university said. Neither Peter nor Pam Werth attended UConn, but all three of their children did.
"The entire University of Connecticut community is grateful to the Werth family for the leadership role they are taking with this generous commitment towards the building of our new men's and women's basketball facility," UConn President Susan Herbst said. "This historic gift will help us maintain the excellence that has long been synonymous with our University and its outstanding athletic programs."
The UConn Basketball Development Center will be a 70,000 square foot facility to be built where Memorial Stadium now stands. It will feature dedicated practice gyms for the men's and women's teams, locker rooms, coaches' offices, video analysis, sports medicine, strength training and areas for academic support, the University said.
The entire cost of the facility will be about $30 million. The donation from the Werths puts UConn about halfway to reaching the total cost.
