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Wasps RFC in talks to redevelop site of Coventry City FC Academy base into rugby training centre
05:45, 26 NOV 2015 BY SIMON GILBERT
Plans could also include creating an Olympic-sized swimming pool at the Alan Higgs Centre site
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Alan-Higgs-Centre.jpg
The Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, Stoke Aldermoor, Coventry
Wasps are in secret talks about redeveloping the Alan Higgs Centre into a permanent training facility for the rugby club – including building an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
The move would be welcomed by those disappointed by the decision to shut the 50-metre pool in the city centre, which Coventry City Council will close by 2019 as a cost-cutting measure.
But it could have implications for Coventry City FC’s Academy as the pool would be built on the existing location of the current indoor pitch, a move which could put its category two academy status at risk.
Coventry City’s Academy relies on the indoor facilities to train all year round when outdoor pitches freeze in the winter. That is a factor in getting prized category two status – and almost £500,000 in grant funding from the Premier League.
The Sky Blues have long maintained they want to move their Academy from the Alan Higgs Centre to a purpose-built facility planned to sit alongside a new stadium and also housing first-team training and acting as a ‘community hub’.
It is understood the Alan Higgs Centre is just one of several sites currently being explored by Wasps as a potential home for a state-of-the-art £7million training centre in the Coventry area - and no final decision has been made.
Wasps chief executive David Armstrong recently told the Telegraph that the club was looking for a sponsor to help finance the development.
The Alan Higgs Centre, owned by the Alan Higgs Centre Trust charity, was built for the purpose of housing Coventry City FC’s Academy and was opened in 2004. But the club has fallen out with the owners of the venue on several occasions in the past.
Story Link New Wasps RFC training centre in Coventry region likely to cost £7million
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.
But in December 2013 the youth set-up returned to the £11m facility after the two parties agreed a 12-month rolling rent deal.
In October 2014 the club and the owners disagreed over who should fork out £80,000 needed to replace the indoor playing surface.
The Trust was exploring alternative uses at the time, and sources suggested other uses could be more profitable for the centre. It is understood the pitch has still not been replaced.
A source told the Telegraph that the charity felt it needed to explore its options due to Coventry City FC’s repeated insistence that it plans to build its own stadium and academy facility somewhere in the Coventry area.
They added: “Wasps need a training facility and the venue needs long-term security. It makes sense for everyone to be talking to each other.”
Adam Armstrong (front) and Aaron Martin sign autographs
Adam Armstrong (front) and Aaron Martin at the Alan Higgs Centre
Wasps and Coventry Sports Foundation, which manages the new site, already have an established relationship having worked together on community projects in the past.
Earlier this month Coventry City FC managing director Chris Anderson said the club had made “significant and material progress” on plans for a new stadium in the Coventry area.
CCFC has previously indicated it would need to secure a site of more than 50 acres, with about 30 acres dedicated to a new stadium, and eight to a new academy facility.
05:45, 26 NOV 2015 BY SIMON GILBERT
Plans could also include creating an Olympic-sized swimming pool at the Alan Higgs Centre site
SHARES
COMMENTS
Alan-Higgs-Centre.jpg
The Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, Stoke Aldermoor, Coventry
Wasps are in secret talks about redeveloping the Alan Higgs Centre into a permanent training facility for the rugby club – including building an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
The move would be welcomed by those disappointed by the decision to shut the 50-metre pool in the city centre, which Coventry City Council will close by 2019 as a cost-cutting measure.
But it could have implications for Coventry City FC’s Academy as the pool would be built on the existing location of the current indoor pitch, a move which could put its category two academy status at risk.
Coventry City’s Academy relies on the indoor facilities to train all year round when outdoor pitches freeze in the winter. That is a factor in getting prized category two status – and almost £500,000 in grant funding from the Premier League.
The Sky Blues have long maintained they want to move their Academy from the Alan Higgs Centre to a purpose-built facility planned to sit alongside a new stadium and also housing first-team training and acting as a ‘community hub’.
It is understood the Alan Higgs Centre is just one of several sites currently being explored by Wasps as a potential home for a state-of-the-art £7million training centre in the Coventry area - and no final decision has been made.
Wasps chief executive David Armstrong recently told the Telegraph that the club was looking for a sponsor to help finance the development.
The Alan Higgs Centre, owned by the Alan Higgs Centre Trust charity, was built for the purpose of housing Coventry City FC’s Academy and was opened in 2004. But the club has fallen out with the owners of the venue on several occasions in the past.
Story Link New Wasps RFC training centre in Coventry region likely to cost £7million
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.
But in December 2013 the youth set-up returned to the £11m facility after the two parties agreed a 12-month rolling rent deal.
In October 2014 the club and the owners disagreed over who should fork out £80,000 needed to replace the indoor playing surface.
The Trust was exploring alternative uses at the time, and sources suggested other uses could be more profitable for the centre. It is understood the pitch has still not been replaced.
A source told the Telegraph that the charity felt it needed to explore its options due to Coventry City FC’s repeated insistence that it plans to build its own stadium and academy facility somewhere in the Coventry area.
They added: “Wasps need a training facility and the venue needs long-term security. It makes sense for everyone to be talking to each other.”
Adam Armstrong (front) and Aaron Martin sign autographs
Adam Armstrong (front) and Aaron Martin at the Alan Higgs Centre
Wasps and Coventry Sports Foundation, which manages the new site, already have an established relationship having worked together on community projects in the past.
Earlier this month Coventry City FC managing director Chris Anderson said the club had made “significant and material progress” on plans for a new stadium in the Coventry area.
CCFC has previously indicated it would need to secure a site of more than 50 acres, with about 30 acres dedicated to a new stadium, and eight to a new academy facility.
