Town have submitted a full planning application for the redevelopment of their Playford Road training ground.

A rebuild of the training ground has long been earmarked as the next big project following the work to the stadium which took place in the summer after promotion to the Premier League and the renovation of the pitch which took place in the previous close season.

Chairman and CEO Mark Ashton recently revealed that the work would cost from £20-£30 million.

A statement on the club site reads: The redevelopment of the Playford Road site includes the creation of a state-of-the-art first-team building along with a refurbished and extended building for our academy and women’s teams.

“The number of pitches at the training centre (13) will remain the same once the redevelopment has been completed. New areas will include extra staff facilities, a hydrotherapy centre, and modernised gym, rehabilitation and performance locations.

“A new clear point of entry will also be open for all players, staff and visitors, with extra dining space and parking.

“Work on the project is set to start in 2025, with completion the following year, ahead of the 2026/27 season.

“The current main building at the training ground will be developed and refurbished to then be used by the academy and women’s teams on a permanent basis.

“Local residents recently attended a neighbourhood engagement session with key club stakeholders and the project team to discuss the plans in greater detail. Feedback received has been considered in the plans submitted.”

Photo: ITFC

Suffolkboy added 17:53 - Nov 13 Wow ! What a transformation from the ‘old’ Fison’s sports ground ,and a vision to match all which has been so far accomplished at Portman Rd. Terrific progress from a go- ahead Management ,Board and Owners ! COYB
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IPSWICHMOUSE added 18:42 - Nov 13 WOW!! Our new owners ain't messing about are they! We are going to have facilities as good as some of the so called top teams very soon....COYB..ITID....
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Durley_Blue added 18:43 - Nov 13 Or the Cranes Sports ground before Fisons. Remember watching my Dad play hockey for Cranes Sports in the 1970s, then have an "under age" half a bitter in the bar after :-)
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RonFearonsHair added 18:47 - Nov 13 Not much point in McKenna leaving until he’s had at least a couple of years’ use out of it.
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ChingShady added 19:05 - Nov 13 Seeing all the money and development going into the club now is incredible, but have to give credit to that Mick 2015 team run. The run down facilities, the financial constraints and signing rejects to somehow get to the playoffs, fair play Mick.
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HOG500 added 20:59 - Nov 13 Please not ‘Ipswich Town’ reading downwards. Stick that next to the badge so it hits you in the face!
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Westy added 21:22 - Nov 13 All good, but I don't see any reference to a small stand for supporters or supporters' facilities. Yes, it is a training ground , but there are occasions when fans are allowed in to watch an academy game etc., so to include a small stand to accommodate a couple of hundred perhaps wouldn't come amiss even if it is a mobile structure that could be moved from time to time as required. I did also wonder if the training ground would eventually accommodate a suitable home venue for the women's team. If promotion for the women's team is secured this season, as seems distinctly possible, perhaps, given the upgrade to the stadium and pitch, this could even be Portman road.

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Eeyore added 21:48 - Nov 13 Building an academy/women's stadium would be great but perhaps if we are in the Prem for the next 10 years. We are not Man City yet.
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shakytown added 01:28 - Nov 14 Long term planning and commitment from the owners. Great to see.
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victorysquad added 03:51 - Nov 14 Looks amazing, agree with HOG500 comment. Kieron, this is for you, we need another 5 years from you!
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slade1 added 07:06 - Nov 14 As a kid in the early 70's, I often used to go and watch the squad train and at the same time, top up my autograph collection. In those days all the training was done at Portman Road on the practice pitch behind the West stand and anyone could just walk in to watch. I always remember Kevin Beattie coming out of the changing rooms with a fag hanging out of his mouth!
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