This is the first of many updates covering the new training ground and the wider EcoPark project. We know our supporters and partners are going to be the lifeblood of this fantastic development and everyone is keen to hear about progress and what to expect.

We’re excited to share as much information as possible; all the gritty detail alongside timelapse videos of the development as it all comes to life.

We can’t wait to get started making the most of Junction 13.

The Candriam Training Centre

The big news is that we’re making real progress on Phase One of the Candriam Training Centre, located on the southern half of Eco Park. While the club waits for planning permission from the council for the wider project, we’ve moved ahead to install two pitches with temporary facilities at the training centre to allow the 1st team to relocate there at the end of this season. Once we get planning permission we are aiming to add additional pitches, an all weather 4G pitch, community facilities and a permanent club house.

It’s going to be a major milestone. We’re creating the first training facility that the club has ever owned. It gives us full control, better facilities for our players, and of course it puts us much closer to the stadium. Creating the two pitches has involved:

• 1,800 tonnes of rootzone, a special soil mix that will provide the right drainage and sufficient organic material for the grass to grow

• 5,870 tonnes of MM40 base sand, a special material used in sports pitch construction for drainage

• 6,850 tonnes of type 3 stone to further assist with drainage.

The training pitches were seeded in November 2023 to provide strength to the soil over the winter period and we have laid down 14,000 tonnes of specially prepared soil and stone for the best possible playing surface. Both pitches are progressing well and Nick. our head groundsman, cut the grass for the first time this February. This initial phase of the Candriam Training Centre also includes a 100,000 litre irrigation storage and a 50,000 litre rainwater harvesting tank which will capture all the rainwater from the pitches. So we can make the most of the English weather.

EcoPark Stadium

The club was granted outline planning permission back in 2019 for the all-wooden 5000 capacity stadium. Since then, we’ve been working behind the scenes to produce the detailed plans before we can move to the next phase, having submitted the details of the planning application for the stadium design to Stroud District Council (SDC) in 2024. This has then been followed up with additional information as requested by the SDC’s planning department and we are now just waiting for a decision.

This gives us a unique opportunity to create a stadium fit for purpose, with the required infrastructure to enable strong community engagement and to be truly inclusive. As part of this we have held several meetings with our disabled supporters to discuss their experiences, thoughts and ideas for the new venue.

A whole range of items were raised, from parking provision and location, changing facilities, turnstile access, booking systems and the provision for away fans. These have been included as part of the next design stage and we are working hard to make the EcoPark Stadium a real asset for our supporters and the local community, while reflecting our ethos as the World’s Greenest Football Club.

Dane Vince

Director of projects