The announcement of Celtic’s new training centre today is a welcome boost for the club and supporters.
Celtic confirmed on their official website today that they have applied for planning permission for a new state of the art training centre. The development will take place at the former Barrowfield site, where Celtic used to train with the first-team squad before 2007.
The Hoops already have a world-class facility at Lennoxtown. But this move to build a new complex would allow the club to train in all conditions. Lennoxtown certainly isn’t an ideal location for when bad weather strikes, and a new Glasgow base could help sort that. Celtic also announced that the academy and women’s team would also be using the planned complex.
According to the statement statement, here’s a list of the apparent benefits of the new development:
- One of the largest indoor football arenas in Scotland
- A FIFA approved top of the range full sized artificial surface
- New state of the art gymnasium
- New refreshment and grandstand facilities for spectators
- Two full-sized outdoor grass pitches
- Two first-class artificial pitches both outdoor and indoor
- Outdoor warm-up area
A chance to bring supporters closer to the action?
Celtic by developing this complex could become a lot more accessible to the public, particularly with regards to youth matches.
Supporters are able to attend youth and reserve league games if they can make it. And whilst Celtic’s future in the reserve league is unclear, you would imagine more youth games will take place at any new complex. Despite Lennoxtown’s world-class facilities, it’s still a fair bit away from Celtic Park. Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium and Morton’s Cappielow aren’t ideal for everyone either.
Therefore, a Glasgow base could give more supporters closer to the club’s home the chance to see the youths more often. There is also the opportunity for Celtic to host open training days and other events to help connect themselves more with the Glasgow-based support. Nothing like that has of course been revealed as of yet.
The Celtic women’s team currently play their matches at K-Park in East Kilbride. It’s unclear whether they would be able to move their matches to any new complex. If they can, then it’s an even bigger boost.
It’s an exciting project to get going. Supporters, if it gets the go-ahead and is completed, will hopefully be able to engage a bit more with the club.
Barrowfield, of course, used to be a first-team training base only before Lennoxtown was built. But any new development looks like being anything but. Hopefully, this is something that can get the green light.
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