PROJECT KIRKBYBy next summer the club’s new training facility, combining first-team
and Academy operations, will be open for business
A big, big change will take place in the next close-season
as the first-team squad moves from Melwood, its training
base for over half-a-century, to the club’s all-new complex
in Kirkby.
Things are gathering pace. Since the installation of the last
steel beam earlier this year, the facility has taken shape with the
external brickwork now completed and construction beginning
on the interior.
The new 9,200sqm training centre creates a combined first-
team and development squad facility, each of which has their
own identity, along with new first-team pitches and parking
within the site.
The state-of the art facilities comprise of two gyms, a full-
size sports hall, pool, hydrotherapy complex and specialist
sports rehabilitation suites. There are also dedicated TV studios,
press-conference facilities and offices.
The design of the building provides a clean, modern and
warm environment with lots of natural daylight and simple but
crisp detailing which celebrates the club’s history.
The large indoor sports hall – a unique feature – along with
the hydrotherapy area are now formed and provide shared
facilities for the U23 and first teams.
The new first-team pitches are nearing completion, with
artificial fibre-stitching currently being installed ahead of the
new grass being sown in spring 2020. Work on this section’s
maintenance area is also complete, including a borehole to
extract groundwater to irrigate the pitches.
Meanwhile another important part of the project has been
completed: the club giving back to the local community by
handing over the ownership, operation and maintenance of the
newly-redeveloped Eddie McArdle community pitches, located
at the north end of the site.
Andy Hughes, the club’s chief operating officer, says: “We
are really pleased with the progress that has been made and