Sod's cut for football building

It replaces 50-year-old temporary structure

The first turf has been cut in a ceremony to mark the start of work on a new £3 million training facilities for Exeter City Football Club, replacing a 'temporary' building that's been used for nearly 50 years.

The new building at the Cliff Hill Training Ground (better known as the Cat and Fiddle) on the Sidmouth Road, is being made off-site and then transported to the training ground.

The two-storey building will house a new and larger fitness suite, separate canteen facilities (no longer shared with gym), larger changing and physiotherapy facilities, improved office accommodation and multi-use theatre/match preparation/classroom space. 

A company called Modulek will construct the new building after the initial contractor withdrew.

It's already over the original budget, which the club is putting down to the pandemic causing volatility in the construction sector that have increased costs of materials.

It will now cost £2,978,000.

Members of the Supporters’ Trust which owns the club voted for the project to go ahead last year. 

Nick Hawker, chair of the trust, said: “As a supporter-owned club, it was important to us to reflect the fact that we are democratic organisation and ensure the supporters had a say in this significant project. It’s fantastic to see the first turf cut today to signal the start of work on the foundations, and we look forward to the project progressing over the coming months.

“The increase in cost has been underwritten by the Supporters’ Trust by way of the loan facility agreed by its members earlier in the year. Modulek has constructed facilities for other football clubs including Bournemouth and Wolves and our project team have worked hard to drive down the cost so there is a reduction from their original tender. Importantly, we have retained all the features of the original plans.”

The new structure will replace the existing dilapidated building, which was constructed in 1974 and was always intended to be a temporary building.

Cllr Ian Thomas, Chair of East Devon District Council, cut the first turf to mark the start of the development.

The modules will arrive at the training ground and put into place on prepared foundations by crane. It means work can be completed alongside the existing building whilst minimising the impact on the day-to-day activities.

After the foundations are completed at the beginning of July, there will be little visible activity until mid-October, whilst the building is being manufactured elsewhere. The development is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Julian Tagg, president and director of external affairs and football at Exeter City Football Club, said: “Built as a temporary building almost 50 years ago, the existing pavilion has done us proud, but it really is time to improve the facilities, which will make a huge difference to our players, management and the many other staff who are based here.

“The improvement of our training facilities, as all our facilities, is ongoing and massive strides have been made under Trust ownership; a fantastic reflection on our ownership model.”

A campaign to ‘Kit Out the Cliff’ has been launched, where items will be sponsored by businesses and individuals.