CHESTER FC are in talks to build a multi-sport training ground that would not only make the club money – but also come at a minimal cost.
The Blues are hopeful of securing most of the funding needed to open a facility which would house the club’s teams and also be available to hire by sporting organisations.
Neil Young’s senior side currently train at MBNA in the summer and at the Exacta Stadium in the winter – while the club’s blossoming junior section are based at local high schools and the University of Chester.
Pat Cluskey believes it is paramount the Blues secure a permanent training base if they are continue to prosper both on and off the field.
Chester chief executive Cluskey said: “We have met with the local authority, private developers and the Cheshire FA and explained to the various bodies what our thoughts are – and that is we want a training facility that is not only for the football club but also for the community as that is our ethos.
“We’re currently talking to the respective partners to arrange funding which, if it comes to fruition, will give us the opportunity to develop a site within Chester for the benefit of everybody.
“While the club would have to find some money toward the cost, it would be a small percentage.
“There are three sites that have been suggested to us and what we’re hoping to do in the new year is sit down with our partners and firm things up.
“It may be a staged process in as far as that it might start off with a 3G pitch before grass pitches, changing facilities then perhaps hockey, netball or rugby pitches follow.
“We have a vision of how we’d like the training facility to be but it’s not going to happen over night.
“We do believe, however, that under a staged process it is something that can be achieved sooner rather than later.”
The reborn Blues posted an impressive £107,626 profit in their first year as a club but Cluskey insists now is not the time to rest on laurels.
He is investigating ways to expand the club’s revenue streams and a training facility used by the community is one of his biggest priorities.
“The fact is the club wants to progress but to progress we have to have a sustainable business – and that means investigating all avenues that can generate revenue away from a matchday,” said Cluskey, who would ‘love’ the facility to have opened by next Autumn, although he admits that may not be feasible.
“We’ve seen the benefits such a training facility can have for a club on our travels this season, such as Nantwich Town. We want that too.”
Another priority for Cluskey and the Chester board is an extension of the five-year lease on the Exacta Stadium the council granted last May – as they believe that would allow them to unlock grant funding.
Plans to extend The Blues Bar, however, are on hold.
Jeff Banks and Mark Howell were re-elected to the Chester board at the club’s AGM last Thursday.
Bill Smith, who runs Bill Smith Motors in Boughton, was elected to the board.
