The state-of-the-art Robins High Performance Centre was officially opened ahead of Bristol City’s first pre-season encounter, when the club hosted Celtic on Wednesday night (July 14th).
City Owner Steve Lansdown and President Marina Dolman did the honours as the red ribbon was cut next to the all-new showpitch.
Image: Steve Lansdown and Marina Dolman open the Robins High Performance Centre.Credit JMP.
The multi-million pound RHPC, designed by architects KKA, opened its doors for the first time in March and since the squad returned for pre-season in late July, it has been home to both first team and Academy players and staff.
The project has been a long-time in the making for Steve Lansdown, who said: “It is a great honour to officially open the Robins High Performance Centre.
“Thanks go out to all of the contractors involved in this during a very difficult period but we saw it through and we came through on budget. Everyone has done a fantastic job.
“These facilities are to give us the groundwork to go forward as a club, to reach the top level and become a top team in the Premier League and I am delighted with the product we have here.
“I have to thank our former CEO Mark Ashton who did an awful lot of work to get the Robins High Performance Centre up and running, so thank you must go out to everyone who has supported the club throughout the build of the Centre.”
Image credit: JMP.
The RHPC includes a floodlit showpitch, capable of hosting the club’s Under-18 and Under-23s and City Women’s matches, two other full-size pitches and two further training areas.
The building itself encompasses a gym, hydrotherapy pool, changing rooms, medical and rehabilitation facilities, a tactics room and office space, as well as education and welfare facilities for City's young players.
Group Facilities Manager Sam Morse said: “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, the architects and contractors did a fantastic job during challenging times and this is by far the biggest project I’ve worked on.
“The biggest challenge was the moving itself, getting the staff on board and understanding their roles in the move. This was during the previous season and it’s how you transition from one site to the next overnight, but we came through it and it really is a brilliant place to come to work for the players and staff."
Chris Long, director at KKA, said: “It was a real privilege to attend the opening of the Robins High Performance Centre. When we designed the Centre, we wanted to create a truly inspiring facility that would motivate everyone who uses it – from players to administrative staff – to be the best they can possibly be. I think we’ve achieved that and I’d like to wish all the teams using the Centre the best of luck for the season ahead.
“This has been a long journey but it’s been a wonderful team to be part of. It’s brilliant to know that our work will not only generate a sporting legacy for the local area, but a wellbeing and socio-economic one too.”
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