New gym approved for West Bromwich Albion training centre
West Bromwich Albion have been given a boost after plans to enhance facilities at the club's Walsall-based training ground were given the go-ahead.
The Premier League team will be able to erect a new modular gym as well as make enhancements to the existing training building at their base on Birmingham Road.
Club representatives said the training centre has played its part in their recent success, most recently its promotion to England’s top flight at the end of last season.
Despite currently being in the relegation zone of the Premier League, the club enjoyed a 3-2 victory against local rivals Wolves just over a week ago and appointed former England boss Sam Allardyce as manager last month.
The new modular gym will be erected on a piece of grass currently used for goalkeeper training next to the current main building.
Steve Hibbert, director of Horsley Huber Architects, said: “The club wish to continue to improve the site, which they have found to be most advantageous over the years, in light of continued changes and improvement requirements needed to maintain a professional football team.
“The proof of which has also been highlighted within their recent league success, which they hope will continue to provide further rewards and achievements.”
The new pre-fabricated modular building will house a gym and physio, doctors and office accommodation, and it will be linked to the existing facility via a covered walkway canopy.
Necessity
Work will also be carried out to make alterations to the inside of the main training facility.
The application said: “The training ground and its facilities building provide a necessity for the maintenance and training of the players and the academy of this professional football club, acting as a backup for the main football club stadium site.
“A site which offers sufficient flexibility to be open to changing methods of management, coaching and training along with privacy and security to enable suitable player development.
“WBA have found their current training facilities require expanding and updating within their current site location.
“The proposed site uses a small goal keeper practice pitch to house a new modular gym building.
“This expansion of the facilities are to improve the training capabilities of the football club only, without employment of additional personnel and with the existing building providing the appropriate support services such as admin, toilets, changing, physio and refreshment accommodation.”
Walsall Council planning officers granted approval to the new gym and training centre enhancements.
