Patrick Nelson hopes the Irish FA will be in a position to make a "significant announcement" on a new National Training Centre later this year.
It was back in 2012 that the association outlined one of its major aims was to create a flagship facility to support elite level football here.
It is understood financing for the development will come from the NI Executive's delayed sub-regional stadia funding scheme, with the IFA also set to contribute to the overall costs for the centre.
