The owners of Carlisle United, according to director Tom Piatak II, would cover the “vast majority” of the costs for the Blues’ new training facility.
Additionally, Tom II states that he anticipates making an announcement about the project “very soon,” with plans to have some of the new facility operational in the upcoming months.
United has identified a preferred location for the significant project, however details are still being withheld.
It is anticipated to play a significant role in the Piataks’ plans for the club’s expansion and investment.
On the funding of the development, Tom II said: “Castle Sports Group will be putting in what we need to – we expect it to honestly be the vast majority of it.
Anything more than that would be beneficial. Nonetheless, we’ve committed to doing this because we think it’s essential to the club’s long-term financial stability.
“In order to get those outcomes later on, you must work hard initially. We have no problem displaying what we have promised.
When questioned about when supporters could expect news on the proposed site, Tom II replied, “I would like to think [it’s] close.”
We’ve had a couple back-and-forths with the council. However, every conversation has been constructive. They’ve expressed a desire to collaborate with us, and we firmly feel that we’ve done the same we want to work with them
There were three or four sites that we had on the shortlist, we believe we’ve identified the one we think would be best for everybody. And it’s just ironing out a few last kinks in it.
“But I would like to say very soon. Hopefully we want to have the grass down by the start of next season. So [an announcement] would definitely be before that.”
The facility is set to see a staged development and, asked when the entire training ground complex was hoped to be completed, Tom II said: “With construction you never know how long that can take.
“Optimistically I would say two to three years would probably be a somewhat realistic goal, if things were to move as fast as we would like them to.
“Things like zoning plans, and everything like that is a whole different process than just the construction plans. And sometimes you have to work with more than one party to get that all figured out
The American owners of United are also prepared to make some significant improvements at Brunton Park. The East Stand will get a significant makeover with additional amenities like executive boxes and lounges.
There are plans to add further amenities for Warwick Road End supporters. The club is now evaluating contractor quotations and anticipates hearing back shortly regarding planning permission.
That work is set to start as soon as the season is over. “There were a few things that we were hoping to do in between home games, but I think there’s maybe one stretch where it’s where you get a week and a half between home games, and none of the contractors said that they could commit to being done with that particular project within that time, which is totally understandable,” said Tom II.
“So it will be something that, once the final ball is kicked on the season, we’ll be looking to kick off as soon as possible.”
Come the new campaign in August, Tom II said he hoped fans would experience the ground as “a slightly modernised version of itself.
“We love Brunton Park, we love the history of it. So we’re not looking to make radical changes in terms of the stadium itself,” he added.
This summer, United has major plans for the East Stand (Image: Barbara Abbott).
However, we intend to finish the East Stand and possibly the area behind Warwick Road End before the beginning of the following season.
“Once more, it depends on the contracting work and its potential duration, but our priority is to complete it as quickly as possible.”
Tom II emphasised that the aforementioned initiatives were a part of the family’s significant financial and long-term commitment to United, which has also included discussions to have the £2.45 million debt owed by the team waived.
When the Piataks completed their takeover in November, they purchased the debt from the previous lenders, Puerpay Retail Limited.
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We’ve got with the accountants, they’ve gone through it, and they’ve said that this is going to be the way that it’s going to go and it’ll work, but it won’t affect the club negatively,” said Tom II. “And we’ll be able to waive it on our side.
“Now, of course, the solicitors want to review the agreement as well. So that may take a couple of weeks, but we believe it’s set, we believe we have the plan in place. And once we can hit the button, we’re going to hit that and that £2.45 debt that dates back…that will be gone.”
Tom II, along with wife and fellow director Alice, are set to return to the USA after this weekend’s game against Stevenage, and he says the couple have been busy working on other fronts at United during their latest visit.
“Alice has been put on the board of the Community Sports Trust – she met with them first last week, and then I know they had a very productive hour and a half call [on Wednesday] night,” he said.
Alice Piatak is participating in the community sports trust at United. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Abbott)
She is very happy to be a part of it and thinks the Trust is highly significant because they have the badge and do great things for the community.
We’re really interested to see where she can take it, so she’s been working on it and integrating herself into their curriculum and system.
“She enjoys what they do now, so hopefully we can just keep doing it.”
Asked what his message to fans would be amid the struggles on the pitch and the major plans off it, Tom II added: “I would say first and foremost we can’t appreciate you enough.
“Keep the faith, the boys are going to keep fighting. We’re going to keep doing everything we can here that we can off the pitch. And we believe that the future of Carlisle United is extremely positive.”
