Orangeburg, N.Y. - New York City Football Club today announced the acquisition of a 17-acre site in Orangeburg, NY for the Club’s elite training facility. The new first team facility, the City Football Academy, will be built on the former STEJ site on Old Orangeburg Road, and will be a permanent home to New York City FC’s first team and support staff. The 25,000 square foot building will consist of a one and a half regulation-sized grass field, team offices, space for player rehabilitation and welfare, amongst other amenities.
Design of the facility was overseen by New York based architect Rafael Viñoly, who designed the training facilities for New York City FC’s sister-clubs Manchester City FC and Melbourne City FC.
“New York City FC is proud to announce a new, permanent training facility for our first team in Orangeburg. Although we are still a young club, today marks an important milestone in our long term growth,” said Marty Edelman, Vice-Chairman of New York City FC.
“Orangeburg is well known as a community that is welcoming to soccer and we appreciate the support we have already received from the town. Everyone at New York City FC is incredibly excited about becoming part of the soccer community here,” said Jon Patricof, President of New York City FC. “Beginning in May, we participated in the town’s four-month review process to seek public input on the site plan and design, ensuring that the development would be in line with the surrounding area. We are committed to continued engagement with the communities in which we reside, following the example that City Football Group has set in our sister-clubs in Manchester and Melbourne.”
“Our new elite training facility in Orangeburg is a significant step forward in the evolution of our Club, marking our first permanent home for the team. We have secured a location in a fantastic area of New York where our players and staff will come together on a daily basis to continue to work hard and grow as a team,” said Claudio Reyna, Sporting Director of New York City FC. “Through our relationship with City Football Group, we are part of a global network of soccer knowledge - the fact that this facility is going to be designed, built and operated in line with the Group, who have been recognized for their expertise in this field, offers great benefits for NYCFC.”
"I'm pleased that New York City FC chose to open its practice facility in Orangetown, which will further our development plans and have a positive influence on our town," said Andy Stewart, Supervisor, Town of Orangetown. "Orangetown is passionate about soccer and the arrival of New York City FC makes us extremely proud."
In line with NYCFC’s community approach, the Club will make a donation for program and facility improvements to youth affiliate World Class FC (OMM Soccer), based in Orangeburg.
Approval for the project was given in July 2016 by the Orangeburg Planning Board, when it was agreed that the Club would make a contribution to the Town for roadway and infrastructure improvements. Construction on the site, which has been vacant and unused for more than a decade, will begin in Fall of this year, and the facility will be in use by early 2018.
