Blackpool Football Club have agreed to buy almost 100 acres of land for a new training centre.
The site for the Championship club’s new base is located along Garstang Road and is bordered by the Grange Park Estate and Baines School.
The Seasiders have said the facility will house a “bespoke building” with changing, medical, coaching, fitness and education areas.
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Initially with six grass pitches, one full-size artificial pitch and a covered artificial area, the site will be designed for one of the pitches to be a show pitch for development and under-18 games.
Blackpool added that, when appropriate to do so, the facility will enable the club to progress from a category three to a category two academy.
In a statement, Blackpool said: “The club has worked tirelessly to identify a suitable site for an elite training facility to house the first-team and Academy ever since its change of ownership in June 2019.
Throughout the process, the club has been supported by Blackpool Council and instructed its own specialists, led by AFL Architects, to ensure a comprehensive search of suitable sites was conducted, with more than 30 considered.
Blackpool FC are set to submit a formal planning application for their new training centre“A small number of preferred locations were then scrutinised and after careful deliberation this site, for first-team and academy use, presented a superb location to deliver the environment that Blackpool Football Club needs to progress.
“The club has already conducted the required pre-application planning meetings with Blackpool and Wyre Councils and will now undertake the rest of the required work to be able to submit the planning application at the earliest opportunity.
“The club has also been fortunate to meet with local leaders and local MPs, who unanimously supported our plans.
“During the months ahead, we will engage with all the local communities and stakeholders to ensure that the Planning Application is successful as soon as practicable.”
Owner Simon Sadler said: “Since the very first day that I became the custodian of this football club, my priority has been to deliver a training facility that integrates the academy right through to the first-team.
“I have always maintained that our future success is being built upon three pillars – coaching, recruitment and the academy.
“This new training facility is integral to that, and will reinforce that Blackpool is the pre-eminent club on the Fylde Coast.
“The training ground forms part of a holistic approach to developing the club’s infrastructure, with the other key part being a new East Stand and sports village.
“The latter is intrinsically linked with Blackpool Council’s regeneration of the Revoe area and that will, in turn, provide facilities for community use and allow the club to further engage with supporters.
“I very much look forward to breaking ground on each of these developments and would like to thank Blackpool and Wyre Councils for their ongoing support, and my wife Gillian for helping to make this landmark moment in our history a reality.”
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