Proposal
The proposal consists of an 877m2 training facility building, two 11-a-side and one 9-a-side grass pitches, stand of approximately 250 seats, 45-space car park, and a 59-space overflow car park which includes 2 bus parking spaces.
The training facility contains a kitchen and canteen, gym, physio room, laundry, toilets, and three team dressing rooms each with their own toilet and shower facilities. The Canteen area also couples as a multi-functional space which could potentially be used for community events, seminars and social functions relating to the club and its wider community.
Aside from the obvious benefits of the first-team having a dedicated training facility, the pitches also provide a new home for the women’s team to train and compete, with additional changing facilities contained inside the 250-seat spectator stand. The stand is flexible and can be extended in the future to accommodate growth of women’s football.
The 9-a-side pitch is ideal for the training of young players and can be subdivided to accommodate 7-a-side and 5-a-side games. By training close to professionals, they will develop a closer connection with the team and be able to observe them playing at a high level, helping to inspire further development and growth.
The gym facilities create a space for all teams to train together. As a club, all teams will be able to improve and grow while being energised by the differing generations of players within the same environment.
Ground Floor Plan
The ground floor features two zones split by the central dividing wall, visible from outside.
The building is designed with visitor and public-facing spaces, but also as a comfortable and secure environment which will allow players to train without interruption. This is evident in the design by the contrasting style of the domestic and industrial sections visually separated by the large wall.
Out of the kitchen towards the pitches is a servery window designed to be utilised to supply hot drinks/food on days when spectators can access academy games.
Staff and visitors enter a bright reception area connecting into a large open plan canteen / multifunction space. The players will eat here during training days, served from the adjacent kitchen. This space can also become an environment for events. A meeting room is located behind the reception for staff and player usage, also expanding the multifunction space where necessary.
Behind the central dividing wall is the staff and player-only zone. This contains the gym, dressing rooms and medical facilities. Toilet facilities are also located in this zone, opening off the canteen area to allow public access when the multifunction space is in use.
Gym
Featuring expansive glass panels that offer views of both full-sized pitches, players will experience a sense of connection with the rest of the team even if they are limited to gym training due to injuries or similar circumstances.
This setup also allows the coaching staff to incorporate the gym as a valuable component of training regimens, with complete visibility from the training pitches.
Additionally, the coaches’ room – which overlooks the spacious gymnasium – provides the potential to oversee training sessions effectively.
Canteen
An area where the teams can eat and socialise together during training. It’s also where larger group academy discussions and seminars can take place.
On non-matchdays, the canteen space is ideal for club functions, alongside community and charity events.
The canteen is a space for refreshments to be enjoyed, both indoors and outside. Perfect for matchdays, the canteen has a service window which will make refreshments easily accessible without venturing too far from the pitch.
As a community space, the canteen can be utilised for events and functions linked to Kilmarnock FC and the academy.
The Stand
As well as the new main training facility, a 250-seat stand situated between the 11-a-side pitches will allow spectators to attend any women’s and youth academy games hosted at the ground.
The planned grandstand will provide changing room facilities, situated beneath the seating, creating a dedicated and inclusive area catering to both the women’s team and academy players.
This designated section will consist of five separate team changing rooms, with four allocated for players and one for officials/referees.
The training suite, designed to serve multiple functions, will act as an educational area aimed at enhancing the tactical aspects of football for both players and staff
Moreover, the structure has been thoughtfully designed to incorporate male, female, and accessible restrooms for public use within the stand.
The Stand
Positioned strategically, the stand’s placement offers convenient entry to the pitches for both players and staff.
The grandstand presents an enhanced and more personalised setting to bolster the women’s and academy teams.
This structure will be entirely inclusive, featuring provisions for wheelchair access as well as designated areas for wheelchair accessible spectating.
Additionally, it will encompass covered ‘dugout’ facilities positioned at the back of the main training field. This setup will enable the manager and support staff to oversee training sessions in an atmosphere reminiscent of a professional game setting.
With the establishment of this grandstand, a stronger sense of inclusiveness will take root, inherently linking the first team’s training endeavours with the neighbouring pitches and any concurrent practice sessions involving other teams.
