Haven’t you wondered where Hibernian FC hones its skills? The Hibernian Training Centre is where the magic happens. It’s not just a place to kick a ball around. This is a dedicated facility for both the first team and the youth academy.
Hibernian announced plans for this dedicated training centre in May 2006. Planning permission followed in September 2006. Obtaining building warrants caused delays. Construction began in March 2007. The first team moved here on December 19, 2007.
The Hibernian Training Centre sits on 24 acres in Ormiston, East Lothian. The address is East Mains, EH35 5NG. Five full-size grass pitches await the players. One pitch has floodlights. There is a floodlit synthetic pitch. Specialist training areas exist for fitness and goalkeepers. There is even an exact recreation of the Easter Road pitch.
Inside the Hibernian Training Centre complex are changing facilities. These serve both the senior squad and the academy players. Indoor facilities include a gymnasium and a training pitch. Hydrotherapy pools and a sauna aid recovery. Physiotherapy rooms are available. A media center, dining suites, and video lounges complete the setup.
The new state-of-the-art building cost over 4.9 million pounds. It has five full-size football pitches. There is a floodlit international-size FIFA two-star synthetic pitch. An indoor synthetic pitch is also available.
Chairman Rod Petrie expressed his delight at the opening. He highlighted the importance of top-class training facilities. These facilities help the club build on its outstanding reputation. They develop young players into professional football players.
Hibees boss John Collins was also thrilled. He considered the facility better than anything he had worked with before.
Hibs owner Tom Farmer noted the historical significance. He said that on that very day in 1891, the Hibernian minutes show a meeting. People intended to resuscitate the Hibernian Football Club.
Some of Hibs’ youth team matches occur at the training center. Imagine the energy of young players striving to make their mark. They want to follow in the footsteps of Hibernian legends.
This facility attracts players in the future. It puts an end to the farce of ferrying around Edinburgh. Players will no longer struggle to find a decent surface to train on.
So, as you stand here at the Hibernian Training Centre, remember more than just football happens. Dreams are nurtured and Hibernian’s future is shaped. This is where dedication meets opportunity.