English Premier League football club Liverpool has today (Wednesday) announced plans to redevelop its academy site in Kirkby into an all-encompassing training centre for its first-team and academy sides.
If given the go-ahead, the club will work with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC) on the project, which also includes improvements for local residents and the community playing fields at Simonswood Lane.
A public consultation for local residents and businesses will be held next month, at which point the plans will be discussed in more detail.
The £50m project would see a new combined training centre built on the site of the current academy, with the main pitch to be converted into an indoor facility.
KMBC is leading the proposals to provide new, improved pitches and sports facilities in the area and will work closely with local teams, including Kirkby AFC.
Additional improvements to the surrounding area include new dog-walking and cycling paths, new lighting and security with a CCTV system. Liverpool will need to purchase land adjacent to the academy site and close part of Moss Lane between Simonswood Lane and Arbour Lane in order for the proposals to go ahead.
The proposed redevelopment of the club’s current training ground, Melwood, could provide about 160 family homes in the immediate vicinity.
“Our proposed plans to bring the first team and young players together in one location is a really exciting proposition,” Liverpool’s chief operating officer, Andy Hughes, said. “The scheme includes state-of-the-art facilities which will be used to support the development of our players and provides all-weather training options.
“We are also working closely with Knowsley Council on plans to make substantial improvements for the local community. These include new and improved football pitches and sports facilities to support grass roots and amateur football teams, and developments to the surrounding areas for local residents.
“We recognise that Melwood has played a significant role in the club’s success and forms an important part of our history. However, the Melwood site is limited in space and is unable to accommodate our longer-term ambitions, which is why we are exploring options on the academy site.
“We are encouraging our neighbours and local residents in Kirkby to attend to the public consultation to see the proposals first hand.”
The public consultation will be held on March 8 at the Northwood Community Centre from 2pm to 8pm and will be open to local residents and the wider community.
The plans have been drawn up by KSS, the architecture firm behind the award-winning new main stand at Anfield, Liverpool’s home stadium.
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