Watford hoping to work with local council to resolve issue over inflatable training ground dome

Watford want to use an inflatable dome at their training ground all year round
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Watford are hoping to work with Hertsmere Borough Council to find a positive resolution after they were refused permission to use an inflatable dome at their training ground all year round.

Back in November, the Hornets secured permission for the 22-metre high dome at their London Colney training base to be used in the winter months (from the beginning of October to the end of March) for the next five years.

Since then the artificial pitch inside has been used by the club’s academy teams, but it has also become a valuable facility for community initiatives.

Consequently Watford proposed in March for the dome to be inflated all year round, but they were refused permission by Hertsmere Borough Council earlier in June.

However, given the facility’s benefit to the local community, the club are now hoping a positive resolution can be found by working collaboratively with the council.

“Watford FC is passionate about its commitment to retaining usage of its dome as an important community and charitable facility during not just summer months but year-round,” said Scott Duxbury, Watford’s chairman and CEO.

“This decision has a directly negative impact on local special educational needs schools and other community usage being facilitated by the club.

“Since opening, the dome has hosted a wide range of local groups and not-for-profit organisations, many of which co-ordinated by the club’s Community Trust, as it provides a safe and secure environment.

“We remain fixed on the idea that our neighbours would not want to see this usage lost to the local community, and is therefore hoping to work with Hertsmere Borough Council to bring about a positive resolution.”

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