Centurions will have Premiership facilities (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Centurions will have Premiership facilities

THEY may play non-league football but new facilities at Cirencester Town are set to elevate the club to Premiership status.

The Centurions are planning to build a new high-tec indoor training arena as part of their impressive Corinium Stadium complex.

And not only will it put the club head-and-shoulders above its non-league rivals, but chairman Steve Abbley says the facility will be good enough to rival those of some of the British game's biggest names.

He said: "It's always been a dream to have a state-of-the-art facility for the people of Cirencester and put the town on the footballing map. I think we've already achieved that.

"The arena will add a Premiership standard facility to what we already have and will mean we can hold football at the ground all year round.

"No other non-league club in the country has anything like it."

The Centurions moved into the 3,000-capacity Corinium Stadium last year after nearly 40 years at their old Smiths Field base.

The new stadium, which was funded by the club and an initial lump sum from the Football Foundation, already offers a wide range of facilities, including a sports bar, function rooms and a gym.

The club can cater for events, ranging from weddings and parties to antiques fairs and society/club dinners.

On the field, the Centurions have 25 different teams, playing in a variety of youth and senior leagues.

The first team currently plays in the Dr Martens League Western Division but has set itself a target of reaching the Conference (one step down from Football League level) in five years.

If approved, the new arena, which will include spectator areas and the latest artificial grass surface, will be big enough to house four five-a-side pitches or one full size pitch.

Mr Abbley added: "We want the club to be a focal point for the community." Plans for the 2,562 sq ft facility have been submitted to Cotswold District Council and discussions have taken place between officers and the club.

The authority has received one letter of objection from Preston Parish Council, which fears the arena is out of scale with its surroundings and will pave the way for more development along Kingshill Lane.

But senior planning officer Mike Napper said that, although no decisions had been made, the application fell within the development strategy for the area.