Celtic have made a planning application to bring 21st century training facilities to their Barrowfield Training Ground.
In 2007 Celtic’s first team training operations switched to Lennoxtown but Barrowfield remains an essential part of the club with Academy training and matches played on the site which lies between the River Clyde and London Road behind the Celtic Social Club.
For a long time the facility was derided but with a range of grass and one artificial pitch it is a priceless facility tucked in at the side of the Clyde protecting it from the chilling conditions at the more scenic Lennoxtown centre.
Creating a full-size indoor pitch with full changing and training facilities will create a year-round outlet where young players can be coached within two miles of Glasgow city centre.
Re Glasgow reports:
The facility at the club’s Barrowfield training/youth development grounds on London Road would comprise one large undercover space with a 105 x 68-metre pitch.
A design statement submitted with the indoor pitch application states: “The aesthetics of the facility will be in keeping with other facilities owned by Celtic FC, with a white tensile structure with a 4.1-metre-high green solid base at low level.
“The curved white upper part of the development helps to soften the visual effect of the proposal.”
The statement continues: “The building sits to the south east of the site, adjacent to an existing full-size grass football pitch and an existing full-size floodlit synthetic football pitch.”
The document states: “It is anticipated that the facility will not significantly impact on either existing residents, amenity or traffic.
“Rather the proposal will enhance the facilities on offer at the training ground, allowing the football club to maintain their training programme for all academy groups whatever the weather, which in turn will bring improved opportunities for health and well-being.”
With a full size indoor pitch it’s likely that Celtic’s first team will also make use of the facility when wintry weather strikes Lennoxtown.