Wigan Athletic to build new academy facilities

A planning application approved by the council revealed plans for a new artificial pitch with floodlights near the Soccer Dome in Stadium Way, a stone’s throw from the club’s DW Stadium.

The application site comprises an area of grassed playing fields located South East of the Soccer Dome, Wigan and to the North West of existing residential properties along Scot Lane.

The field currently provides five sports pitches.

It is hoped that the new facilities, along with acquiring some of the existing pitches at the Soccer Dome, will boost Latic’s academy’s rating to “Category 2”.

A planning statement which was submitted as part of the application said: “To help it achieve its ambition to be awarded Category 2 Status for its Academy, Wigan Athletic FC is in talks with the landlords of the existing Soccerdome facility on Stadium Way around taking over the management and running of the indoor pitches at the facility and two of the four outdoor five-a-side pitches.

"In partnership with the landlord it has also applied for planning permission to Wigan Council to build a new full size flood lit 3G football pitch.

"This development would not only enable the Academy to achieve Category 2 status it would also provide much needed improved football facilities for the wider community. Whether these be activities organised through the club’s own Community Trust or through access for local schools and grassroots team. The below summary and attached usage plan seeks to explain that access.”

The club would also use the facility for a range of programmes that would be either free or heavily subsidised for the local community. These would include:

- The Kicks project – free football for 8– 19 year olds.

- Training for its disability football team.

-Schools tournaments linked to the Premier League Primary Stars programme.

- Inclusive football festivals, Walking Football (in partnership with Wigan Walkers FC).

- Men’s Weight Management Sessions (in partnership with Wigan Council).

- Affordable Soccer Schools during school holidays.

At times when neither the Academy nor the Community Trust are using the pitches local schools, grassroots football clubs and recreational footballers would be able to book the facilities, based on an agreed rate in line with the Wigan Council’s pricing policy.

The full planning application can be viewed at planning.wigan.gov.uk using the reference code A/19/86905/FULL.