Town have been granted planning permission for an extension to the gym at their Playford Road training ground.

The application, which was made in mid-December, outlined the addition to the back of the main training ground building.

“Ipswich Town Football Club is seeking to enhance their facilities to meet the demand of the intensity training for existing club members/players in the training ground,” the application reads.

“The application proposes a gym building extension with a link connection to the existing training centre, and parking arrangement will remain the same.”

Speaking in September, CEO Mark Ashton said renovating the club’s training ground is “the next big project”, then in December confirmed that the Blues had completed the purchase of the small section of land retained by former owner Marcus Evans following the takeover.

The gym extension is likely to be a precursor to the more extensive training ground work to come with further improvements to Portman Road also in the long-term plans, including a replacement for the Cobbold Stand.

Photos: ITFC

johnwarksshorts added 19:11 - Feb 12 Another piece of the jigsaw.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 19:12 - Feb 12 Excelent. More progress, solid foundations, sensible longterm investment, happy days continue.
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Westy added 21:05 - Feb 12 All good. I don't know what else is planned but it would be great if a small stand could be constructed alongside one of the pitches used for the U21 games etc as, although I haven't been for a while there is usually a decent turnout. In time, if improved further could even act as a home ground for ITFC Women.
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ImAbeliever added 08:26 - Feb 13 All in all it’s (just) another brick in the wall. More good news.
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Marcus added 09:19 - Feb 13 I've always wondered why the press facilities weren't moved to the Cobbold Stand. The video would show a much more positive view of the stadium and less popular seating would be used by the press without decimating those who prefer to watch from that area. FAcilites are in place, the only complication would be access to the players' lounge for journalists, the 'maze of Portman Road' is already a dark art!

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PhilTWTD added 10:19 - Feb 13 Marcus Think the press facilities will be moved but lower in the West Stand rather than across the ground, although that might well happen eventually after the rebuild, of course. The press area doesn't have great seats, there are a lot of posts in the way up there, so not many of those seats would be premium tickets. We don't actually get to the players' lounge, the players either come up to see us in the media centre - which will also get a rebuild at some point soon as it's dated and not fit for Premier League purpose - or by the tunnel. Totally agree with you re Portman Road's labyrinthine nature, I still occasionally find myself in new areas despite having been regularly in and out of the place for nearly 30 years!

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Marcus added 13:31 - Feb 13 Phil Sure, although the logic is partially self-defeating as moving the press area forward would open up more seats with obstructed view. I wasn't thinking about accessing the lounge itself, more access to those using it without crossing the ground. Ultimately it goes back to the problem of the ground having its back to the town. I was thinking along the lines of something interim until the new stand is built.

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