Training Ground - NEW

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

I have heard that the Hogwood Training facility will be redeveloped with the club buying Bearwood Golf Club for redevelopment, anyone else aware of this?

[Jano]

My old man is a member at the golf club and there has been some discussions with the club. Apparently the college is selling off land, part of which is the golf club (I think there is a horse riding centre near as well) and the club is interested. From what I could gather there is some issues with the amount of land available as the club needs to be able to create something like 21 full size football pitches there, and they are not sure there is enough space available.

[PieEater]

Isn't that area a bit hilly too. It would be hard to fit in 21 flat pitches.

[Rusty royal]

If I recall, Anton attended Bearwood college.

[TFF]

https://twitter.com/JonnyFordham/status ... 5993692160

Fordham says they've done a deal. No planning permission yet.

[St. Brynjar]

Good to see some progress with that.

[Royal91]

All geared towards cat 1. Moving into the big boys league!

[Barry the bird boggler]

Shame the first team isn't!

[maffff]

patience young padawan

[MouldyRoyal]

http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article ... 23754.aspx

[Simon's Church]

If you want to grow as a club I guess improving the training ground is pretty much par for the course.

[maffff]

As a club we aim to build, evolve and succeed

whaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[ZacNaloen]

So is Bearwood Golf Club closing down, or are we buying all that land out the back?

"Upper lake" as google maps puts it.

I'm struggling to picture how big 59 aces is in my head on that scale as well.

[Cobi]

So is Bearwood Golf Club closing down, or are we buying all that land out the back?

"Upper lake" as google maps puts it.

I'm struggling to picture how big 59 aces is in my head on that scale as well.

The whole site is supposed to be about 380 acres, so I assume the golf course will be fine. In comparison Man City's is around 80 acres too.

[(.)Boobies(.)]

This document outlines the plans for a new training facility that will support a Cat 1 academy and provide 8 full size pitches.

http://t.co/Rr1tzwLVrI

[TFF]

The relevant bit

5. In the light of this, the Club prepared a brief for its training facilities, which identifies the following requirements in terms of physical playing facilities:

Grass Surfaces

1st team - 3 pitches 110 x 70 yards
U 18 - 2 pitches 110 x 70 yards – one to be floodlit
U16 - 1 pitch 110 x 70 yards
U15 - 1 pitch 110 x 70 yards
Goal keeping Area - 110 x 70 yards - split into 1st Team / Academy

Total above - 8 full size areas

U14/U13 - 90 x 60 yards x 2
U12/U11 - 60 x 40 yards x 2

3G Artificial Surfaces

1 x full size pitch 110 x 70 yards - with floodlights and fencing
1 x 60 x 40 yards indoor floodlit


6. In addition to this, the facility will need to accommodate a range of activities within one or more buildings, including changing rooms, sports science and physiotherapy suites, classrooms, press briefing facilities, catering facilities, offices for the coaching and support staff, etc.

[wingnut]

So is Bearwood Golf Club closing down, or are we buying all that land out the back?

"Upper lake" as google maps puts it.

I'm struggling to picture how big 59 aces is in my head on that scale as well.

A m8 of mine is a member and as I understand it, he's been told the club is folding and he has to find a new one.

[West Stand Man]

The transfer of Hogwood from the MOD to RFC had a covenant on it restricting its use as I recall. I seem to recall the price being agreed subject to any profit on future development being shared with the government. Could be rubbish of course.

[Rob-Royal]

just under 60 acre site and below gives an idea of exact location....

http://www.bearwoodestate.co.uk/BearwoodEstate.pdf

A full size pitch is approx 1.1 acre so more than enough for the required number, plus buildings.

Will be very impressive if this all comes off (planning consent) and shows the ambition of the club. Exciting times ahead.....

[Cypry]

just under 60 acre site and below gives an idea of exact location....

http://www.bearwoodestate.co.uk/BearwoodEstate.pdf

A full size pitch is approx 1.1 acre so more than enough for the required number, plus buildings.

Will be very impressive if this all comes off (planning consent) and shows the ambition of the club. Exciting times ahead.....

Indeed - it should be noted that the numbers of pitches listed in that document are a minimum - I heard a rumour we're planning significantly more...