Tom Piatak (Image: Richard Parkes)
Tom Piatak has called on Cumberland Council to "accelerate the process" regarding Carlisle United's bid for a new training ground.
The Blues' owner says he is frustrated that things are not moving as quickly as he would like.
And Piatak said that while he remains optimistic about positive progress soon, it would be "very disappointing" if things were delayed to the point where nothing was ready at the site this summer.
United want to build a state-of-the-art training center in the city and while Piatak has not confirmed the location, most speculation has centered on the Sheepmount.
Asked when the club would be able to confirm details, Piatak told the club News & Star: "I wish I could give you the answer to that.
"We submitted the first letter to the municipal council in December [and] I expected us to be further along than we are now.
"I believe what we are doing, putting private investment into this, is great for the community, for Carlisle, the club and all parties.
"We made a conscious decision to keep the training facility in the center of town because I think that's what the community needs. [is also] why we have also made a commitment not to change Brunton Park.
"In my opinion it shouldn't take that long. The club makes itself available, the owners make themselves available for any meetings that are necessary, but it seems that we are having meetings [and] we must translate that into action and implementation.
"In the original vision, when I referred to that Fleetwood model, that is certainly not going to happen this summer. There just isn't enough time, it takes too long.
"We're here at the end of April and now we've tried to split this up by saying, 'Okay, we need a practice field, two practice fields. [first]Let's try to work that piece out and agree on that as phase one, with a memorandum of understanding on what the whole project looks like, so that we all agree that this is what we're aiming for."
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"If we as private investors were to put this kind of investment into a building without a long-term lease... that we could lose, then that cannot happen.
"I ask the city council to please move beyond the meetings and start implementing, let's finish it.
'We are prepared to make that investment. We have an average of 8,000 here at home [this season]. The vision [is that] we are putting this into motion and putting 14,000 in the stadium every match.
"The economic impact on Carlisle and the city, on businesses, restaurants, hotels, everyone - it's huge. And we can make that happen, but we need help, and I can't make it happen until I get the agreement on that side.
'We just need the land'
Asked whether he was clear in his belief that the council could accelerate the pace of progress in the talks, he said: "The answer is yes. We need them to speed up this process.
"We are learning. Back in Jacksonville, we've made major capital investments and the move has been much, much faster. So we learn here. We are not used to this.
"But the request is just to isolate that piece of land, give us the green light and let us start making the investments.
"There aren't many other requests where we need A, B, C and D to make this happen. We just need the land, and then we will invest there.
"But we have to go, otherwise we won't be ready this summer and that will be extremely disappointing."
The News & Star has approached Cumberland Council for comment.
Piatak added that the planned works to Brunton Park and the surrounding area, as well as the training ground project, would together cost more than £10 million.
As well as major renovations to the stadium's stands, the Piataks are also purchasing more property, which will help with their planned works at Warwick Road End, as well as providing accommodation for players.
Asked about the level of investment for the projects, he said: "I would say at the moment that only the stadium infrastructure and associated infrastructure [parts] is probably north of £5 million.
"In addition to eradicating and forgiving the [£2.4m] debt [which the Piataks' Castle Sports Group bought from United's previous lenders Purepay Retail Limited]I hope the community sees what the family is doing to move this forward.
"I don't have that number for the training center, but look at the dome, the artificial turf field, the grass fields there and the training center building - we also want CUOSC to be able to put a building there so that they are located in the same location - it is still very early stages, but that will also be north of £5 million.
'I don't know the reality [amount right now, but] it is a serious investment."
Project Ooststand
Work will ramp up on the transformation of the East Stand, with new hospitality boxes and lounges added as part of the revamp.
Asked how confident he was that everything would be ready for the start of the season, he added: "I have a healthy skepticism about that. But I'm sure we think we can get most of it done.
"I believe we can complete the lodges and hospitality on the second floor. We may not get to the classrooms on the first floor, but that shouldn't affect the activities, that's more up to the players and CUOSC and others to take advantage of that.
"But I do believe it has to be done, we are working together with the contractor [Story Contracting, who were announced as the contractor yesterday]...and I got a promise from them that they will give everything they can, and I believe in them."
Piatak added that acquiring more properties to use as player accommodations is an important part of the family's current work.
"We are actively looking for homes," he says.
"As we're recruiting, we want to be able to bring a player here and talk about the vision, but we want them to see the vision.
"They will see that the East Stand and Warwick are being worked on, which is all positive. We are also in the process of acquiring some player housing. We have already renovated the two [on Warwick Road]It's like night and day and the players say, 'It's incredible, thank you for doing this.'
"If someone comes here for a two-year contract, I would like him or her to have their own place. They have to become part of the community and invest in the community because they get a contract.
"But let's look at a six-month borrower. It would be great if they came down and said, 'This is where you'll stay, it's a beautiful apartment that's ready,' and they can also see the future of the locker room for the players, things like That.
"We want to attract the best people. If there's someone on the fence, I want him or her to come out here and say, 'I see where you're going with the training facility, I see what you're doing with the ground, the accommodation you're setting up for myself and my family is great, yes, I'm coming, I believe in where this club is going and I want to be part of it."
