Celtic Unveil World Class Training Center

By: JT | October 10th, 2007

Celtic’s brand spankin’ new training facility at Lennoxtown was officially presented to the public and press this morning. The isolated, 50-acre compound in East Dunbartonshire will be the center of all Celtic’s football operations, as well as every non-matchday activity for the club.

Its impossible to estimate the effect that this place will have on the club, but it should be massive. Having an all-encompassing, world class training center can only serve to lure a higher class of international player to Celtic Park.

The other side of the coin is that the club will develop its youngsters in a state-of-the-art facility, which should enable the youth and reserve teams to maximize their efforts, creating an even better product.

What exactly have the Bhoys got under that roof, you ask? It’s pretty damn impressive:

• Three natural grass full-sized, UEFA match-size pitches.
• One full-sized top-graded artificial all-weather UEFA match-size pitch. Floodlit.
• Undersoil Heating.
• Indoor training pitch.
• Goalkeeping training area.
• State-of-the-art gym/fitness suite.
• Extensive Physio/medical facilities.
• Hydrotherapy Pool.
• Sauna and Steam Room.
• Sports science/sports development facility.
• Extensive changing facilities.
• Classroom/Education facilities.
• Football administration offices.
• Media facilities.
• Kit room.
• Laundry.
• Groundsman’s compound

Chairman Brian Quinn says:“The new centre is a high-quality facility which befits a Club of Celtic’s stature and we are sure it will be one from which we will reap great rewards.”

CEO Peter Lawwell comments: “In a magnificent setting, the centre is one which we are sure will be invaluable in both providing excellent training facilities for our first team and in developing Celtic stars of the future.”

Quoth WGS, “I can just deal with football here and so can the players. There won’t be any distractions for them.”

El Capitan say, “It’s important to keep that connection with the fans and we’ll do all we can do that. When we do go back to Celtic Park for matches, it will be even more special, because we might not see the fans as much out here.”

“It will make matchdays more exciting, but I also think it’s important that the players have a place where they can relax and be together. However, when we do go back to the ground, we will get a real feel for the atmosphere.”

All in all, a great day for the club now and going forward, it supporters, and everyone associated with Celtic. Check out some more shots of the ground. I can just smell that clean mountain air.

***** Needless to say, the vast majority of this information as well as the photos have been shamelessly jacked from Celtic’s official site. You can get even more about Lennoxtown here, here, here, here, and here. *****