Hibs stars relishing big move to new £4.4m training centre

HIBS are poised to make the long-awaited move into their £4.4 million East Mains Training Centre this week, writes DAVID HARDIE.

The 36-acre site, boasting five full-sized grass pitches, a top-class artificial playing surface, an indoor training pitch and a host of ancillary facilities, will be officially opened on Wednesday.

Boss John Collins revealed his players were stunned when he took them on a sightseeing tour of the former dairy farm near Ormiston, with the building converted to house, among other things, changing rooms, medical and physiotherapy suites, a gym, lounges, kitchen and dining area and a laundry.

He said: "We all went down to the new facility and the response from the players was pretty much as I expected – a great reaction. Their eyes were wide open with surprise at the quality of the place, the size of the complex and the facilities that are there for them. It's going to be wonderful.

"It's a new start for the players and for the club's history, as we have never had our own training ground so this is a huge boost for everyone.

"For players and coaches it will be a wonderful working environment. We have the indoor area if it is windy, or icy, outdoor and we have the Astroturf if it is muddy or waterlogged, a new gym, canteen – everything is in place.

"There is no doubt that when we invite a player to the club and take them to the training complex they will be excited. It's going to entice them to want to come here. It's a great working environment and that's where players will spend 95 per cent of their working life."