Development at Canalside moves forward again
The continued development of Canalside Sports Complex – the official training ground of Huddersfield Town – reached a milestone during the last fortnight as the first green shoots of grass have emerged on the upgraded pitches.
During recent months the pitches on the main plateau have been a focal point for the redevelopment work at the complex. Extensive levelling work, a full drainage system, along with a complete sprinkler system have now all been successfully installed over the last few months, ahead of the pitches being seeded just three weeks ago.
Despite lots of hard work, the timing of the project has been hit by the unprecedented and record breaking rainfall over the spring and summer which at times left the site more like a boating lake than grassed pitches! This has led to the seeding being delayed by 6-8 weeks.
Since early September, new on-site classrooms for day release schoolboy players, technical analysis facilities and office accommodation for First Team and Academy technical staff and coaches have been up and running (click HERE, HERE and HERE for updates on developments).
With the upcoming icy winter months on the horizon, grass growth is now expected to be slow, but the target is to have ready to use pitches at during the early spring 2013 period.
Huddersfield Town’s Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens commented:
“At last seeing green grass sprouting on the new pitches is a welcome sight. The spring and summer weather has been very frustrating all round. Of course everyone is impatient to get it finished but it is a long term project. It will help bring long term sustainability and success to the Club. Everyone is really looking forward now.
“Bringing the First team and Academy together as ‘one’, with first class football facilities has been a top priority since Dean took over. Without his financial investment in this project and his drive and determination to see it to fruition, we would now be faced with a very perilous position. Having the right environment to prepare for games and develop players is critical to performance.
“It is worth looking back to the start of this project. We talked about the members having a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to build on the past success to create something very special not only for them and Town but the wider community, all at a time when the economic climate is very difficult and could worsen. It’s a good deal all round. I believed that together we could create a flagship amenity with a bright future and long-lasting legacy. The prize was very special and to play a part in that would be wonderful for all of us; Rec Club members and Huddersfield Town alike.
“Back in December 2010 Dean said, “It is a great prospect for Huddersfield Town - probably the biggest step forward since the new stadium was built in 1994 - but Canalside will also provide a superb amenity for existing members and for the community in general.”
“Coupled with the other significant improvements to the building and facilities for members and the community, I am pleased we are delivering on what we said we would do.”
Next on the agenda for Canalside is the construction of a full-size outdoor 3G pitch, which is a requirement of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP); this is set to start in December and is hoped to be in use by 1 March 2013.
Full floodlighting is also currently being installed around the perimeter of the plateau level, giving the Club the opportunity to host evening matches and Academy training in the future. This will be accompanied by fencing and pedestrian paths.
The four grass pitches at plateau level will add to the three existing Canal pitches; these are already regularly used for First Team, Under-21 and Academy training as well as the Academy’s Under-18 and 16 fixtures on a Saturday.
Click HERE for full information on Canalside and to join now!
