"We aspire to be a world-class organisation both on and off the playing field - and we need appropriate facilities for the team and all of our staff," said Blues chairman Tony Carter. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-position the entire Blues organisation towards achieving our long-term goals."
The Blues will move into the new Greenlane facility - leased from the Auckland Trotting Club for at least 15 years - later this year. It will mean an end to their time at Unitec in Mt Albert where they have been for the last 10 years. The rugby side of the partnership is understood to be relieved to go - the facilities at the Carrington Road site were becoming extremely tired and wild rabbits were a common sight around the buildings.
Blues chief executive Michael Redman said the organisation looked at several proposals before opting for Alexandra Park. The decision was ratified by the Blues board last year and formal consent was confirmed last week. Construction will start in March.
"It's a milestone for the Blues," Mr Redman said. "This facility will help with retention of players and recruitment. The whole environment is important to players and coaches considering their futures so this can only be a good thing.
"One of the challenges of attracting players to Auckland, especially from smaller centres, is the cost of living, and having a base like ours could help sway their decisions."
The Blues won the last of their three titles in 2003 and have been dogged by inconsistency despite the playing talent at their disposal in New Zealand's biggest city. Last season, coach Sir John Kirwan's second, they won only once away from home.
"The new facility is not the total solution, however it aligns with our other investments in culture, identity and sports science," Mr Redman said.
Covering an approximate area of 1800sqm, the facility will boast a high-tech gymnasium, "prehab/rehab" area, rooms for seminars, medical and physiotherapy treatment, sports science and changing rooms, a cafe, and offices for coaching, team management and administration.
The training field is located inside the trotting track with an option for a second field if needed.
The Blues also plan to use the facility for age group development camps and will make it available to the three provincial unions within the Blues region - Northland, North Harbour and Auckland - for training camps and also plan other usage in the sport and the community.
Auckland, the franchise's major province, will not be based there.
The Auckland Trotting Club said the new training facility would not cause any scheduling conflicts, rather, it offered "a unique partnership".
"Like the Blues, we are really excited at the enormous opportunities to engage the community with the new facilities and training field, particularly when you consider all the nearby schools," said Alexandra Park chief executive Dominique Dowding.
The Blues start their 2015 season a week on Saturday when they host the Chiefs at North Harbour.
- By Patrick McKendry of NZME.
