Kilmarnock reveal plans for ambitious new 'Bowie Park' training ground

Kilmarnock Football Club have revealed plans for a new top of the range training centre to be built that would house first team, academy and women’s team players.

The club say a public consultation process has been launched to progress the proposed development led by director, Billy Bowie.

Pictures of the proposed ‘Bowie Park’, that would include the creation of two five-a-side and two full-size pitches, one with an accompanying 500-seat stand, were released to the public on Tuesday.

The training base will also house a two-floor training facility building featuring a gym, changing rooms, canteen and seminar room, offices and a players’ lounge.

The development is proposed for a site located east of the A77 between Kilmarnock and Crookedholm.

It has been handpicked as a preferred location due to its close proximity to the town centre in a bid to “enhance integration opportunities with the community by ensuring that day-to-day training, across all levels of the club, remains in the local area for the long-term future”.

Setting out his vision, Bowie stated: “Bringing first-team training back into the local area at Rugby Park has been integral in strengthening the connection between the team and our community in recent years.

“The next stage of our vision is to build a bespoke training facility, at the heart of our homeland, where our first-team and academy squads can develop side-by-side on a daily basis.

“The facility will lay the foundations to continue the club’s long-term growth, from grassroots level upwards, to ensure that we’re consistently progressing in the top-flight of Scottish football, in addition to competing in European competitions on a regular basis in years to come.”

Killie resume their cinch Premiership campaign away at Hearts on Saturday having beaten the Jambos’ capital rivals Hibs in their last match before the World Cup pause.

Manager Derek McInnes, who penned an extension until 2026 in September after guiding the side back to the top flight, said the plans “demonstrated the ambition” of the club.

He added: “Purpose-built training facilities support the nurturing of academy and first-team talent, in addition to strengthening a reputation that will help to attract and retain a certain calibre of player.

“It’s important that those players feel connected to the community, and a dedicated club base in the town will enhance engagement opportunities with future generations who will go on to wear the blue and white stripes.”