03/05/15
English Premier League (EPL) Soccer team Arsenal FC has unveiled plans to transform its London Colney training facility and continue development at the Hale End youth academy.
With planning permission granted by Hertsmere Borough Council for the training facility development, work is scheduled to commence shortly, with completion scheduled for the beginning of the 2017/18 EPL season.
The project will involve major work on the main building, which houses the first-team squad, and the construction of a new player performance center. The facility will be used by the first team and house first and second year professionals in the academy.
A new gym will be installed, along with a 40m (130ft) running track, ice baths, a spa, a cryotherapy chamber, data analysis and scouting suites and player meeting rooms. The existing visitors, education and media center will also be refurbished as part of the multi-million dollar project.
The club is also proposing a new phase of work at the Hale End youth academy, which will include the installation of three new playing fields, changing rooms, education areas, landscaping and car parking.
The project is subject to planning permission. New gym facilities and offices have already been built or are under construction.
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said, via www.arsenal.com: “These are significant investments to ensure we provide our players with the best possible facilities at every age group within the club.
“These developments, together with the recruitment of specialists in player preparation, injury prevention and recovery, analytics, coaching and scouting, will ensure we stay at the forefront of the latest thinking within the game and are an important part of our ambition to keep improving and developing on and off the pitch.”
