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We’ve embarked on an exciting project with our partners the University of Nottingham to develop Highfields Sports Complex into an elite-level training base.
The joint venture will involve the reconstruction of pitches, building of new facilities and repurposing of existing spaces to create a superb environment for our first team to carry out their day-to-day work.
An exact replica of Meadow Lane’s hybrid SIS pitch will be installed, while extensive drainage works will be carried out on one of the site’s two other pitches.
A state-of-the-art gym will also be constructed and on-site changing, meeting and office facilities will negate the prior need for first-team players and staff to travel to Meadow Lane before and after each training session.
Our CEO, Joe Palmer, said: “The lack of a permanent training base has been one of the biggest challenges facing the club for many years – so today’s announcement is hugely important.
“Requiring players to work across two sites every day is far from ideal in many ways – but the task of finding or developing an all-encompassing facility reflecting our club’s stature, ambition and professional standards is very difficult.
“We’re therefore hugely grateful to the University of Nottingham for welcoming us to Highfields at the start of last season and subsequently working with us to plan and fund this major development of the site.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to our owners, Chris and Alex Reedtz, for understanding the hugely beneficial impact this project will have towards team performance - and backing it with yet more significant investment.
“Having agreed a long-term lease with the university, we have also brought much-needed security and certainty to the club following years of having to move between various facilities across the city.
“While construction of the main pitch is expected to be completed by early September, the rest of the training ground will be ready to welcome our players back for pre-season training at the end of this month, marking a fresh start for the 2025-26 season.”
Head of Football Roberto Gagliardi added: “We want to take every opportunity to maximise our competitiveness – and this starts with providing the best possible training environment for our players and staff.
“These plans will allow us to do that and I commend the university, Chris, Alex and Joe for the fantastic work they’ve done to bring them to fruition.
“The brand-new main pitch will have the exact same dimensions and construction as Meadow Lane, guaranteeing a fantastic surface which will be particularly beneficial in our preparation for home fixtures.
“The second pitch will also be of a high standard, enabling the coaching team to locate sessions strategically to avoid wear caused by excessive use.
“The on-site gym will be phenomenal – and it will complement the university’s nearby world-class medical and performance facilities, which we also have access to as part of our tremendous partnership.
“Having the gym, training pitches and social areas together in one place will be important for team cohesion and we’re looking forward to seeing the players make full use of these on their return from the summer break.”
Jo Simpson, Chief Revenue Officer from the University of Nottingham, added: “Our partnership with Notts County continues to go from strength to strength.
“This new development of an elite level hybrid football pitch and performance centre at Highfields is an important step forward for the outstanding sporting ecosystem we have already created across our campus.
“Our goal is to create one of the very best sports performance environments in the country, combining our existing world-class physiology lab, high-performance training centre, hydrotherapy pool, biomechanics lab and on-campus hotel with these new facilities to create the optimal training environment.
“This partnership is a fantastic example of how collaboration between academia and elite sport can drive innovation, performance and community impact.
“We’re proud to support the development of Highfields as a state-of-the-art training facility that will not only enhance Notts County’s competitiveness but also contribute to the university’s broader mission of excellence in sport and education.”
https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/10/update--training-ground/
Originally Posted by CamPie
