Liverpool FC eyes £50m training ground revamp

Liverpool football Club is launching an ambitious £50m (US$62.1m, €58.6m) bid to revamp its training ground in a plan that would improve the local grassroots provision.

The Premier League football club is working with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC) to bring to fruition the construction of a combined training centre, the redevelopment of existing academy facilities and designs to bring the main pitch indoors.

As part of the plan, the council is working on proposals to bring new football pitches and sports facilities to the surrounding area to support amateur football matches.

Dog walking and cycling paths, new lighting and improved security have also been factored into the plan.

KSS Architects are behind the plans.

To facilitate the plans, Liverpool FC will have to purchase the land adjacent to the academy site.

In addition, the club will seek to redevelop its existing Melwood training ground into 160 “family homes”.

A consultation on the plans will commence on 8 March 2017.

“Our proposed plans to bring the first team and young players together in one location is a really exciting proposition. The scheme includes facilities which will be used to support the development of our players and provides all-weather training options,” said LFC chief operating officer Andy Hughes.

“We are working to make substantial improvements for the local community. These include new and improved football pitches and sports facilities to support grassroots and amateur football teams, and developments to the surrounding areas for local residents.”