New QPR training ground a step closer as club exchanges contracts for Heston site

QPR have moved a step closer to a new training ground by exchanging contracts with Imperial College ahead of acquiring their site at Heston.

The Championship club currently train at a facility in Harlington and have been looking to move for a number of years.

The new site at Heston, which is currently used by the club’s academy, is 27 acres and consequently over twice the size of the training ground at Harlington.

QPR plan for it to become the home of the club’s training facility, and they have taken a major step towards that by exchanging contracts with Imperial College ahead of acquiring the freehold of the Heston site.

QPR Chairman Amit Bhatia said: “This is a significant step forward for the football club.

“If you are looking to move a club forward in the long term then investment in its infrastructure is absolutely fundamental.

“I appreciate our fans are sick and tired of hearing about proposed new training grounds, and training ground updates – but this is the most significant update we have ever been in a position to provide.”

Vice-chairman Tony Fernandes added: “When the opportunity presented itself to acquire the freehold of Heston Sports Ground earlier this year we had to give it serious consideration, and ultimately this is the correct path for us to take.

“The current condition of the pitches means we will be able to house the first team there far sooner than if we had taken a different route.”

QPR’s next steps will be to hold further taks with the London Borough of Hounslow to discuss their plans to upgrade the quality of the pitches and redevelop the existing buildings