Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank and president Darren Eales today provided updates on the club’s progress and revealed project renderings of the club’s new $60 million training ground.
Currently under construction in Marietta, GA., the Atlanta United training ground will be a best-in-class facility and will rival top international training facilities. Located on Franklin Gateway, the 33-acre site will include a 30,000 square foot headquarter building and six fields.
“We are committed to building the best club in MLS, and that begins with creating a training environment that cultivates a winning attitude,” said Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank. “This facility will not only enable our players to develop at the highest level, it will provide an unparalleled, up-close experience for our fans and allow our club to make a significant impact in the community.”
The training ground will hold open training sessions and tournaments, as well as host visiting national and international clubs. Designed by Atlanta-based architecture firm TVS Design, it will be home to the club’s youth academy, first team players and club staff.
The design of the site and club headquarters allows for future growth and will foster an aspirational environment, giving the academy players the opportunity to observe and interact with the first team.
“Youth development will play a critical role in the overall success of our club,” said Atlanta United president Darren Eales. “We put a lot of thought into the design of the training ground to ensure that it provided our first team with a top-flight training environment, as well as an open, collaborative and aspirational atmosphere for our young academy players.”
The project will bring $60 million in private investment and more than 80 high-paying jobs to the Marietta site. Construction began in February of 2016 and is set for completion in April, 2017.
"The City of Marietta is honored and humbled that Atlanta United has chosen to make Marietta home to its new state of the art training facility," said Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin. "This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for our great City to have to chance to partner with such an amazing organization and we look forward to the tremendous economic impact this facility will bring to the area."
