The first sporting headline involving the facility will come when Craig Levein announces his squad for the forthcoming UEFA Euro 2012 Group I double header against Czech Republic and Spain on Thursday morning.
The first event will be a 24 hour football marathon in aid of St Andrew’s Hospice. That will kick off at noon, following the Scotland squad announcement, when local primary school kids take to the new pitch and other teams will join to sample the FIFA approved 3G indoor surface. Taster fitness sessions, celebrity appearances and an attempt to hold the biggest ever Zumba class will fill the weekend.
The complex has been completed on time and on budget and it will play a key part in aiding the development of current and future footballers in the area. Motherwell have been in discussions with North Lanarkshire Leisure for some time about its use for training and Hamilton are believed to have secured a deal already. Craig Brown visited the site in March and said, “We were invited to have a look at the development to see how it’s progressing and it was very interesting. It will be a wonderful facility for the whole of North Lanarkshire and we will most certainly use it rather than Toryglen as it is right on our doorstep. As well as the first team, the youths will use the facility too and that’s why Gordon came along with me to have a look.”
The facility boasts an indoor full sized football pitch with spectator seating, a full size outdoor 3G surface and six outdoor floodlit five-a-side pitches. Athletics facilities are a major part of the complex with a six lane 135m running track, throw and jump areas and a strength and conditioning area for athletes to use.
Also on offer is a multi sports hall with 9 badminton courts, a huge fitness gym with top range Technogym equipment, dance studios, a sports injury clinic, drug testing area, meeting rooms and office facilities.
For those just wanting to relax, a Starbucks café and vending areas with Wi-Fi capability will be available for users to enjoy.
This development gives a huge boost to the whole community in Lanarkshire and we can only hope that in years to come we see the benefits not only on the football field but across a much wider population as participation sport increases.