New look Gawthorpe on the way

30 September 2010 17:11
Burnley Football Club submitted plans two weeks ago for an upgrade of the training facilities at Gawthorpe which will include an upgrade to the present building and a new indoor training area. Gawthorpe has been our training ground since the mid-1950s, well over half a century, and in its early days was the envy of all the big clubs in the country. However, not much has changed, other than we no longer use the barn as a changing facility, and over the years the level of facility has reduced significantly compared to other clubs.There have been improvements in recent years. The new first team training pitch was installed around 2005 and just this summer a brand new 3G pitch replaced the all weather surface between the changing rooms and the first team pitch.Now, the new plans would see the training ground upgraded to a level that would enable us to apply for academy status and would also give us much needed, and vastly improved facilities for the first team squad who have now reported to Turf Moor for training for the last six years and more.The current building, which is to be extended, will be gutted and when completed will have double the number of changing rooms, better gym facilities, a catering area and lounge facilities for players and for the parents of our young players.Behind that, the area known as the cabbage patch, is currently used for goalkeeper training and that will house a new indoor facility with a 60x40 metre 3G surface.The club hope to have positive news on the extensive PLANNING APPLICATION which was discussed on the message board last weekend. If the application is successful it is intended for work to start at the beginning of January with a completion date of the beginning of July 2011 in readiness for the players returning for pre-season training.Coupled with that, work will start soon on the current youth team pitch over the bridge, improving the drainage facility. The youth team have a long break away from Gawthorpe this season, having arranged for home games in the main to be played at the beginning and end of the season.Hopefully the application will be passed and the club will finally be able to move back towards the bigger clubs in terms of training facilities that years ago were the envy of most. The money spent on this, along with the money spent on the new Turf Moor pitch, will be the best money we'll spend and will provide a fantastic legacy of our year in the Premier League.

Source: FOOTYMAD