Our Work
Ipswich Town FC – Playford Road Training Ground Redevelopment
Supporting the development of elite performance, medical and recovery facilities for Premier League football
investment
Specialist performance, medical and recovery facilities
Elite performance gym
Ardent Sports was appointed to support Ipswich Town Football Club's £30 million redevelopment of its Playford Road training ground, providing specialist project management, sports consultancy and equipment procurement advisory and management services.
Drawing on the team’s extensive experience of working with Premier League clubs and elite sporting organisations, Ardent worked closely with the club, architects, contractors and specialist suppliers to support the planning, design and delivery of world-class performance, medical, rehabilitation and recovery environments.
Involvement covered the development of the club's main performance gym, altitude training room, medical and physiotherapy facilities, rehabilitation spaces, specialist recovery environments, nutrition facilities and player support areas.
A key part of Ardent Sports’ role was ensuring that these facilities were not simply designed as individual spaces, but planned as an integrated performance environment that reflected the practical and operational demands of professional football.
This included advising on facility layouts, functional relationships, specialist infrastructure and equipment requirements, while managing the procurement and coordination of performance, medical and recovery equipment.
This independent approach to equipment specification and procurement helped the club evaluate appropriate technologies and manufacturers, considering technical performance, quality, durability, operational suitability and long-term value.
Working alongside the wider project team, Ardent Sports helped translate the club's performance requirements into practical, coordinated and appropriately specified facilities designed to support players and staff throughout the training, rehabilitation and recovery process.
The Ardent team’s specialist involvement included:
Elite Performance Gym: Planning, design development, equipment specification and procurement management for the 454 m² (4,887 sq ft) strength and conditioning facility, incorporating physical preparation, performance testing and individual and group training areas.
Altitude Training: Specialist advice on the planning, equipment and technical requirements of a dedicated altitude training environment.
Medical & Physiotherapy: Design and equipment consultancy for medical assessment, treatment and rehabilitation facilities, including DEXA scanning, isokinetic dynamometry and acute trauma provision.
Pilates & Rehabilitation: Planning and specialist equipment advice for a 72.7 m² Pilates and reformer studio supporting injury rehabilitation, movement and physical conditioning.
Recovery & Regeneration: Specialist consultancy for cryotherapy, sauna, hydrotherapy, hot and cold immersion and associated recovery technologies, including coordination of technical infrastructure and building services requirements.
Equipment Procurement & Management: Independent equipment specification, supplier evaluation, procurement advice and coordination of specialist equipment installation requirements across the performance, medical and recovery facilities.
Functional & Operational Planning: Advice on facility adjacencies, player circulation, staff workflows, nutrition and player support environments to ensure the overall development supported the daily demands of an elite football club
The Playford Road redevelopment demonstrates Ardent Sports' ability to combine specialist knowledge of elite sporting environments with practical project management and procurement expertise.
The team’s contribution extended beyond facility design and equipment selection, helping the club and wider project team make informed decisions throughout the development process and supporting the delivery of high-performance facilities designed for long-term operational success.
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