CHARLOTTE — A southeast Charlotte site has been selected as the new home for Charlotte FC, according to a release from the club on Wednesday.
The site, located at 8600 McAlpine Park off Monroe Road, will house a permanent training facility and business operations for the first-year club.
The decision comes less than a month after Tepper Sports and Entertainment -- the ownership group of Charlotte FC -- pulled the plug on plans for a youth academy at the former Eastland Mall site in east Charlotte.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tepper Sports pulls plug on Charlotte FC youth academy at Eastland site ]
Charlotte FC announced the more than 52,000 square-foot, privately financed facility will include four soccer fields and be home to the club’s first team, MLS NEXT Pro team and the youth academy.
A source told Channel 9′s Joe Bruno two big differences exist between this location and the Eastland site: size and timeline.
The Eastland location would’ve only housed the academy team, while the new site will fit the whole team. Additionally, development at this location is expected to be completed two years sooner than the Eastland project.
According to the club, the first team is already training on fields at the site and will continue to do so until the full facility opens.
Officials said renovations on existing buildings at the site will begin immediately and construction is expected to be completed by spring 2023.
“A permanent training facility and business headquarters for Charlotte FC has been a priority for the club since it was launched and we’re excited to reach an agreement to bring this to life,” David Tepper, owner of Charlotte FC and the Carolina Panthers, said in a release from the club. “The timeline for this project was crucial and we’re delighted to deliver a first-class facility to our players and staff in spring 2023.
“This is an important milestone for our club and reflects our commitment to continue investing in infrastructure that will allow Charlotte FC to be a leader in Major League Soccer both on and off the pitch.”
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- ‘It’s going to be fine’: Community leaders remain hopeful for soccer fields at Eastland site
- TIMELINE: How has Charlotte’s Eastland Mall site changed through the years?
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Charlotte FC said the investment at the site began earlier this year with the funding of new training pitches. Once completed, the headquarters will house more than 110 club employees.
Full details about a name, design and more are expected to be released later this fall, the club said.
(WATCH BELOW: Charlotte FC signs 16-year-old Concord native to ‘homegrown’ contract)
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