| The former site of Blue Star Football Club, next to Newcastle Airport, is undergoing a total makeover with the installation of a full-size floodlit IRB-approved 4G synthetic pitch, while a full-size grass field and a third smaller grass pitch will complete the development.
A successful opening night party has already been held for the ‘Thumper’s Place’ bar on the site, which continues to see furious activity as the playing surfaces, offices, kitchens, massage room and numerous other facilities are installed.
Construction at Druid Park comes as a result of Falcons chairman Dave Thompson becoming owner of the ambitious Newcastle Blue Star FC, which will play its home games at Kingston Park having secured an historic promotion to the Unibond Leagues for the first time in its history.
Blue Star director of football Bob Morton, who is also strength conditioning coach at the Falcons, said: “The site at Druid Park is unrecognisable now from where it was even a few weeks ago.
“The 4G pitch is revolutionary in rugby, and as well as providing a fantastic training base for the Falcons professional and academy squads, it will also be used to benefit the whole community.
“That was always Dave Thompson’s plan, to have a facility for the people of the area, and he’s certainly backed up that vision with his actions. It shows how ambitious he is for the Falcons, for Blue Star and for the local sporting community. It’s one of those situations where everyone wins.”
Falcons director of rugby, John Fletcher, said: “We’re investing heavily in infrastructure for the playing squad with the superb set-up at Druid Park, and have also added to the coaching team with the arrival of Steve Bates this summer which is already making a big difference behind the scenes.
“That, combined with the signing of a world class player like Carl Hayman and new extended contracts for our existing stars, is a sign of just how serious we are about the coming season and the future in general from a rugby point of view.
“If you then factor in all the benefits to organisations like Gosforth, the Northumberland Rugby Union and all the other partners who will make use of Druid Park, it shows just how progressive and forward-thinking Dave Thompson has been by taking on the project.”
A bird's eye view of the development
The Druid Park clubhouse
Car parking outside the main clubhouse
The pitch is being flattened in preparation for the 4G pitch
Slabs of the 4G pitch foundation await installation
Thumper's Place bar
The view from the corner
Thumper's Place open for business
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