surrounded with their own grandstands and floodlights. Within the complex there is also the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, an 8000 seat mini stadium used by the 2nd division side, Real Madrid Castilla, in many respects the Real Madrid reserves.
Inaugurated in 2005, the training
centre consists of academy offices, equipment rooms, audio-visuals rooms, a strength and rehab centre, and training facilities, as well as thirteen and one third fields - three full size synthetic turf fields and two full size natural grass fields for the youth section, along with five full size and one third size synthetic turf fields, and two full size natural grass fields for the first team. The on-site medical centre consists of
examination rooms, treatment rooms, additional rehab facilities and
equipment, and an amazing hydrotherapy centre that includes hot and cool pools, a cold plunge, and a long but narrow resistance wave pool. In all, Ciudad Real Madrid covers 1.2 million square metres although, to date, only 21,578m2
has been developed.
When I was there, the pitches were in various states of renovation or construction. The 1st team pitch was in the process of being returfed after a five week construction, which included the installation of a new undersoil heating system. This system was split so that parts of the playing surface could be heated independently.
The main contractor was SIS (Support in Sport) and they have been involved in the works at both the training ground and the Bernabéu for the last twelve months, working closely with Paul to
Armed with Grade A mixtures, these men promptly toured the country spreading their knowledge far and wide. Today, still wanted by professionals, they survive as experts in Amenity. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, you know where to find them, maybe you should call a member of…
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improve and create consistency across all the playing surfaces.
The pitch also had additional sandy
rootzone spread and graded to improve the depth of material and, therefore, the drainage capacity. Two days before I arrived in Madrid, Jose Mourinho had been unveiled as the new club coach and, while I was watching the big roll turf being laid, he came and stood by his office window to view proceedings. Not wanting to waste any time, Paul quickly arranged a meeting with the new manager to find out his requirements, and to discuss any concerns Paul may have had with them. While there has been a great deal of money spent so far, it was necessary to bring the playing surfaces up to, what Paul regards as, Premiership standard. The previous constructions were
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