December 13 2022 Consultation begins on plans to develop ‘Bowie Park Training Facility’
A public consultation process has been launched to progress the proposed development of a training complex that is being led by Director of Kilmarnock Football Club, Billy Bowie.
The Bowie Park Training Facility proposal is being scoped with a view to creating a dedicated club training ground where Kilmarnock’s men’s, women’s and academy teams can develop within the same purpose-built environment.
Funded by Billy Bowie, the proposal includes the creation of two five-a-side and two full-size pitches – one with an accompanying 500-seat stand – alongside a two-floor training facility building which features a gym, changing rooms, canteen / seminar room, offices and a players’ lounge.
Proposed designs have been drawn up with a vision of streamlining the club’s pathway from the academies to the first-team squads by enabling teams of all levels to train in close proximity. The complex is also set to provide a permanent home for Kilmarnock Women and the academy, with potential to evolve the 500-seat stand in the future.
The project will see significant development to the proposed site located East of the A77 between Kilmarnock and Crookedholm. Close to the town centre, the location has been hand-picked to enhance integration opportunities with the community by ensuring that day-to-day training, across all levels of the club, remains in the local area for the long-term future.
Setting out his vision, Billy Bowie stated: “Bringing first-team training back into the local area at Rugby Park has been integral in strengthening the connection between the team and our community in recent years. The next stage of our vision is to build a bespoke training facility, at the heart of our homeland, where our first-team and academy squads can develop side-by-side on a daily basis.
“The facility will lay the foundations to continue the club’s long-term growth, from grassroots level upwards, to ensure that we’re consistently progressing in the top-flight of Scottish football, in addition to competing in European competitions on a regular basis in years to come.”
Derek McInnes, Manager of Kilmarnock Football Club, added: “The proposal demonstrates the ambition of Billy and the Directors, which was one of the main factors in committing my own future to the club.
“Purpose-built training facilities support the nurturing of academy and first-team talent, in addition to strengthening a reputation that will help to attract and retain a certain calibre of player. It’s important that those players feel connected to the community, and a dedicated club base in the town will enhance engagement opportunities with future generations who will go on to wear the blue and white stripes.”
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Kilmarnock Football Club and Thomson Hunter Associates invite you to visit the Killie Museum at Rugby Park to consult with you on the proposed Bowie Park Training Facility. The pre-planning consultation is an essential part of the development process, designed to gain feedback from the community with the aim of positively progressing the application.
Supporters collecting their Viaplay League Cup Semi-Final tickets on 14th/15th December are encouraged to drop into the museum to view the plans:
LOCATION: Killie Museum
DATES: 14th and 15th December
TIMES: 12pm – 6pm
You can find more details about the proposal HERE
