Jagiellonia Białystok, champions of Poland two years ago, are set for a major overhaul of their training facilities. The club's current base on ulica Elewatorska, made up of three pitches, will be replaced by a far larger site that the club says matches its ambitions.
The project was made possible by the purchase of land in the Krywlany district of Białystok, covering more than 14 hectares. Jagiellonia spent over 22 million zlotys acquiring the plots.
"Jagiellonia is building its future on stable, own foundations, gaining a home that will serve future generations for years to come," the club said in a statement.
Plans for the new complex
The new center will sit close to Jagiellonia's stadium on ulica Ciołkowskiego and is designed to serve both the first team and the club's academy. Initial plans call for eight full-size pitches with supporting facilities, administrative buildings, a dormitory, a primary school and a secondary school, and an orthopedic clinic.
No construction start date has been announced. Maciej Szymański, the club's vice-president, said his experience with similar investments was guiding him and that he knew how many variables were involved in such projects, speaking at a press conference. He said preparations for the first stage, which will include three pitches, changing rooms and a service building, could take up to six months.
A 150 million zloty investment
Wojciech Strzałkowski, chairman of the club's supervisory board, said it would be good if the first shovel went into the ground next year, which would mark the 20th anniversary of Jagiellonia's last promotion. He said he deeply believed that would happen.
Strzałkowski put the total cost of the project at close to 150 million zlotys. Half of that sum has already been secured, partly through profits from the club's appearances in European competitions, but it will cover only the land purchase and the first stage of construction.
He said the aim of the project was to get more young players training at the club's own facilities. He added that club officials had visited training centers at other clubs, including Racing Club de Strasbourg, Bodo/Glimt and Fiorentina. Further funding for the build is expected to come from Jagiellonia's participation in the Europa League.
Facing Iberia Tbilisi
Adrian Siemieniec's squad go into their return leg against Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia in a strong position after the first match ended with the visitors conceding four goals in Białystok. The decisive fixture will be played on Thursday, 27 August at 18:00.
