Bournemouth start training ground redevelopment

BOURNEMOUTH have started work on the first phase of development of their new training complex at Canford Magna.

Work has begun on installing an outside 3G artificial pitch and indoor dome, along with temporary offices for the Academy.

The redevelopment should enable Bournemouth’s Academy to move up from Category Three to Two status by the end of the 2022/23 season. They applied to be promoted to Cat 2 in 2020, but pulled out because of Covid.

Chief Executive Neill Blake said: “We are delighted to make this step which will help our thriving Academy system. Our initial plans for the training ground were heavily hit by the Covid pandemic, but we are pleased to get this work started with the longer-term plan of the first team joining the initial academy development when the time is right.

“It’s a really positive step for everyone at the football club and we are really pleased to begin development of this first phase of work for our Academy.”

Bournemouth had received planning permission for development of the site in April 2019 to include 10 full-sized pitches, three junior pitches, an indoor artificial playing surface, an outdoor artificial playing surface, state-of-the-art medical, fitness, sports science and rehabilitation facilities, administrative space and a press conference theatre.

The state-of-the-art facility was to house the first team, development squad, Academy and pre-Academy training operations and facilities within one location.

However, those plans have now been pared down and the first-team will continue to be based at the Kings Park first-team training complex, situated next to their Vitality Stadium ground, for the time being.

Bournemouth placed 38th in TGG's 2020/21 Academy Productivity Rankings.