http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-fc-academy-future-8760465
Charity which owns the site where players train wants to scrap indoor pitch after £80,000 repair bill emerged
The future of Coventry City FC’s Academy is uncertain after it emerged there was an issue with the indoor pitch at the site where they train.
The Academy has used the facilities at the Alan Higgs Centre, in Allard Way, Stoke Aldermoor, since it opened in 2004.
The indoor pitch at the site is now due to be replaced after it came to the end of its expected ten-year life-span.
But bosses at the Alan Higgs Centre Trust, which owns the site, are understood to be looking at alternative uses for the space after it emerged the bill to replace the playing surface would be about £80,000.
That would be a blow to Coventry City’s Academy which relies on the indoor facilities to train all year round when outdoor pitches freeze in the winter.
It could also put the club’s prized Academy Two status under threat – along with almost £500,000 in grant funding from the Premier League.
Coventry City officials have long spoken of their desire to build a new stadium and academy facility for the club on a new site in the Coventry area.
Meanwhile, the club has a rolling agreement with the Alan Higgs Centre Trust – but it is believed this short term approach has left charity bosses reluctant to commit to provide facilities geared towards what is viewed as a temporary tenant.
The charity is understood to be exploring alternative uses for the space so it can provide the best range of facilities possible to the community.
Bosses believe there are now ample five-a-side facilities elsewhere in the city and the centre should investigate other possibilities as it also looks to remain commercially competitive.
However, it is understood the charity could be willing to install a new indoor pitch if the football club agreed to pay for the resurfacing work.
The two parties have previously fallen out over maintenance costs at the site.
In July 2013 the club pulled the Academy out of the centre after a row over £12,000 for the maintenance of equipment over a two-year period.
In December 2013 the youth set-up returned to the £11million facility, originally built to house the club’s Academy, after the two parties agreed a 12-month rolling rent deal.