Carlisle United: Co-owner Jenna Piatak says training ground site submitted to City Council
- Published
The Piatak family took over at Carlisle in November
Carlisle United's aim to develop a bespoke training ground is closer to fruition after a proposal for a new site was submitted to the City Council, said co-owner Jenna Piatak.
The Cumbrians want a facility which the whole club can use and offers a community benefit too.
Generally, first-team training takes place at the stadium on the pitches behind the ground, weather permitting.
"The wheels are turning," Piatak told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"We submitted a proposal to the City Council for a site that I cannot say - but we have submitted.
"My parents fly back over on Thursday and I think business happens quicker when it's face to face and they're over for a month.
"That will grease the wheels and maybe get things happening more quickly."
One of the issues Carlisle have is the flooding and freezing of their regular training site, which forces them to head to artificial surfaces further away at Gretna and Penrith.
The Piataks took control of Carlisle in November 2023, with aims of improving facilities and the team with their investment.
The use of the stadium on a daily basis, as a changing venue for the players to train, means that the renovations have had to take place around the availability of the ground.
"I know one thing right now that is really big on our radar is re-doing the locker rooms," Piatak added.
"Where the players shower, where players get help when they're injured and things like that. The gym needed some love so we got new equipment and a new ice bath.
"We're trying to get all the tools set in for the players to really feel an impact and that's really important to us."
On the field, Carlisle have also been able to strengthen using the financial resources the Piatak's mid-season takeover has provided.
Striker Luke Armstrong arrived from Harrogate, goalkeeper Harry Lewis from Bradford, Sheffield United midfielder Harrison Neal was signed permanently while defender Sean Grehan joined on loan from Crystal Palace.
The experience has been a learning curve for the American owners, who made their money in logistics, and whose interest in Carlisle has skyrocketed since they got involved.
"We are definitely hands on but this is our first time and we don't have the knowledge and expertise that Paul [Simpson - manager] and the staff have," Piatak added.
"We're definitely leaning on Paul. There are some exciting things in the works, the four players we have got are going to help us go to where we want to go.
"We're getting the right people on and off the field."