Wasps eyes “world-class” training facility in Coventry

Premiership Rugby club Wasps is gearing up to increase its presence in the West Midlands after applying for planning permission for a new “world-class” training facility.

Wasps purchased Coventry’s Ricoh Arena in November 2014 and has played home games at the 33,000-capacity stadium ever since. However, the team continues to train in West London.

The club will move its operations north next season when it will use the facilities of Coventry’s Broadstreet RFC, but Wasps chief executive David Armstrong has confirmed more permanent proposals are being lodged, which include the building of a new complex on land adjoining the city’s Alan Higgs Centre.

Three pitches, an indoor kicking barn, a cardio and weight gymnasium, a video analysis suite, a hydrotherapy recovery area and physiotherapy rooms are at the heart of the plans for the facility, which is being designed by Sheffield-based Ward McHugh Associates.

“This is the first stage in a long process and we will continue to pursue options at other sites until we know whether our planning application has been successful,” said Armstrong. “However, we are very hopeful of this site becoming our permanent base and are excited by the opportunity the location would afford us, as well as members of the community who would be able to use the indoor barn at specific times when not in use by Wasps.”

Armstrong added that he was interested in reports suggesting that a 50m (164ft) Olympic swimming pool was going to be constructed at the Alan Higgs Centre.

He said: “While separate to Wasps’ potential training base, it would be fantastic if that too were to come to fruition. It would be of huge benefit for people in the local area and hopefully the training base Wasps has planned will also generate excitement about the world-class sporting facilities Coventry will have to offer.”