Carlisle United are in the midst of negotiations with Cumberland Council over the shared purchase of a dedicated training facility, which is reported to be located at the Sheepmount.
There has been no official comment from both parties but United owner, Tom Piatak alluded to a ‘site’ having been picked out for the project.
This project serves as a landmark milestone in the Piatak takeover and a clear indication of their plans to take the Cumbria-based club forward.
In a recent social media post, the family have promised to invest £4 million into the facility.
The Florida-based ownership group have promised the Cumbrians’ fans a ‘state of the art facility’ for the club’s first team, academy and the community to utilise.
A new training facility is desperately needed for a club that are constantly having to relocate to train. The club’s current training ground behind their stadium, Brunton Park, is hugely susceptible to flooding.
I recently sat down with owner, Tom Piatak II, to discuss the project and the impact that it can have on the club.
Tom highlighted that “hopefully the training ground will allow the club to not only attract the best talent in the area but also to keep those homegrown talents in Carlisle with the ultimate goal of making it to the first team and Brunton Park.”
“I think there was just excitement across the board from the playing staff to the admin staff to the players themselves, who are excited for whether it’s a new locker room, some different pitches and a single area they are going to everyday versus training everywhere. A very good reception from all the staff.”
Tom piatak II speaking on the thoughts of the players and staff towards the facility
This project is just as exciting for the club as it is for the community and the owners’ reference to a ‘shared-use’ facility is huge for the city.
I also sat down with local Carlisle United journalist, Jon Colman, to see what his thoughts were on the club’s biggest project to date.
Jon exclaimed that, “This could be huge for Carlisle United as a club and its prospects in all the ways, we’ve already talked about, the infrastructure, the size of the club, the growth of the club, what it says for the city and the area probably too, as well.”
In terms of how this facility could impact the academy, Jon stated that, “Again, going back to the quality and the standards of the facilities that they are talking about as well, you are talking about a real, to use a Piatak phrase, a step change in what they are laying on for young players.”
Watch the video below to see the owner’s latest public comments on the training facility
The phrase ‘step change’ has been brandished around by the Jacksonville-based family in their relatively short stint with the club so far and it demonstrates their ambitions.
There has already been evidence of a ‘step change’ budget in January, and going into the upcoming season. As well as this, there has been evidence of step change in developments around Brunton Park. This facility will mark another branch of the club that the rewards of the Piatak’s ‘step change’ approach are bearing their fruit.
The only hurdle that remains is the clubs proposed talks with the Council and pushing this exciting idea through. Tom Piatak called on Cumberland Council to speed up the process in a recent interview with the club’s official media.
Jon Colman has seconded this sentiment, highlighting that, “I probably would be endorsing what Tom Piatak said about the need to do this at the necessary speed and to grab the chance because if the right doors aren’t opened to this from example the Council or other parties involved, when is the better idea going to come along for Carlisle. “
This facility marks an exciting milestone in a bright future for Carlisle United.
I asked Cumberland Council for comment on the matter and have yet to receive a reply.