Boss Steve Cooper says the planned redevelopment of Nottingham Forest’s training ground is a “show of ambition” by owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Plans to improve the facilities at the Nigel Doughty Academy have this week been given the green light by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
The project includes a new two-storey building which will house 14 changing rooms, three classrooms, a gym, physio room, analysis suite, a guest parents’ lounge and canteen facilities, plus additional on-site car parking.
Cooper believes the ambitious scheme demonstrates how the club are looking to raise standards as they continue to target promotion to the Premier League.
“Any time that you invest or try to improve any sort of facility is a really positive message,” he told NottinghamshireLive.
“It’s another good show of intent from the ownership and how they want to strive for improvement.
“It’s a show of ambition and long-term sustainability. You need a purposeful training ground. It doesn’t have to be all-singing and all-dancing to make you do a good job, but it definitely needs to be of a standard to help you achieve.
“I like this training ground. I like the spirit. I like how it brings people together with the interaction.
“Of course we’d always want more - and we should. At the same time, there’s nothing stopping us from doing a good job. But if we’re looking to improve, then I always think that’s a positive thing because it shows there’s a bigger picture in place - which there is.”
Forest have already improved some of the facilities at Wilford Lane, including overhauling one of the meeting rooms.
When they initially announced the scheme, the club said: "The latest plans are in line with ongoing investment in the facilities at Wilford Lane, which earlier this season saw the enhancement of the show pitch to include a new playing surface and goals, LED floodlights, perimeter fence and dugouts to meet the club’s conditional Category One Academy licence obligations.”
