PNE training camp refurb gets nod

Preston North End have been given the go-ahead to make major improvements to their Springfields training ground as an “interim” measure until a state-of-the-art facility is built in Ingol.
PNE players could soon have improved training facilities at Springfields while they wait for the Ingol complex to be built.PNE players could soon have improved training facilities at Springfields while they wait for the Ingol complex to be built.
PNE players could soon have improved training facilities at Springfields while they wait for the Ingol complex to be built.

But, with football on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, work on improving the ageing facilities off Dodney Drive, Lea, may not kick off for some time.

The city council has approved a planning application for demolition of some existing buildings at Springfields, which house dressing rooms and the staff dining room and the construction of a modern two-storey block linked to the club’s indoor sports hall.

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In a statement to the council, the club said the development “represents an interim short-term solution and facility for the first team training ground, whilst construction and funding details for the new training ground are finalised at Ingol Golf Course.”

North End were given permission for the new Ingol complex in the summer of 2017.

The club has always stressed that funding would come from the construction of hundreds of homes on other parts of the golf course.

But so far not a single house has been built, meaning the project has yet to get off the ground and North End admit it could even take years to come to fruition.

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“We were delighted to receive planning permission to upgrade our existing training facilities at Springfields,” said a club spokesman.

“As one can imagine, since the planning was submitted, the financial climate for the economy in general and football specifically has become unclear.

"Until we can have visibility on the timing of a resumption of income into the club we are unable to confirm a start date on the upgrade.

“As soon as we have more clarity on the resumption of football, and more importantly crowds, we will then be in a position to make a more definitive comment.”

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In February the club said: “In the short-term the need to give our players the right facilities has led us to consider an interim solution that is cost-effective, provides our players with enhanced facilities and can in the future be passed to our senior academy team.”

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