Manchester City reveals plans for £100m academy
Image: The complex will include a 7,000-capacity stadium and 17 full-size pitches
Manchester City Football CLub (MCFC) has unveiled details of its plans to develop a new £100m training and education complex next to its Etihad Stadium.
BAM Construction, part of the Royal BAM Group, has been selected to build the 80-acre City Football Academy which will include a 7,000-capacity stadium, 17 full-size football pitches, an academy building with classrooms, a sports science centre and a dedicated media centre.
The site is currently being prepared for building work to start and the complex is expected to be completed in time for the 2014-15 Premier League season.
MCFC has also donated 5.5 acres of remediated land on the site for community use, and is also supporting the creation of education and leisure facilities for local residents.
The site will be linked to the Etihad Stadium - MCFC's current home - by a footbridge and will enable players, staff and officials to be housed on the same complex.
The project has the full support of Manchester City Council (MCC) as a major part of the development is providing opportunities and boosting local business in the east of the city.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of MCC, said: "This project lies at the heart of the ambitions we share with Manchester City Football Club to create a centre of sporting excellence that will be the envy of the world."
"It is as clear a demonstration you can get of the commitment of the club to our city as a whole and local people in East Manchester in particular."
Patrick Vieira, former MCFC and France star and the club's current football development officer, said the academy would be the "best in the world".
"It is a long-term commitment from the football club and I am really excited about it because once you've seen the plans and images, you can't wait for the work to start.
"I think the club is creating something fantastic because when you are a footballer, you want to develop yourself and you are looking for the best facilities to achieve those aims.
Vieira also says the CFA will benefit far more than just the football club and young players. He added: "I believe that football development is a really important part of the project but I think the CFA will help the community and surrounding areas because it will create jobs for the local people.
"It will regenerate parts of the city and the economic aspect will be very important as well. That's why I think as a football club you feel proud to be part of something really good.
"This area of Manchester is completely going to change, and I think it will benefit everyone who loves Manchester and who lives there."
For more information and artist's renderings of the project, click here.
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