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Early next year Guernsey football will for the first time in its history have a permanent home.
Victoria Park has been a decade in the making and when it welcomes the first players onto the pitch and spectators into the stands, it will be about much more than 90 minutes of football.
The £10m. project will create a community facility on which the whole game can grow, a hub for the sport whatever your age or ability, one which can attract new players and grow revenues.
Guernsey Football Association Chief Executive Gary Roberts said the new facility would be "transformational".
"It really is going to change the way the game is played, and how many people can play the game over here," he said.
Pictured: Victoria Park Director Rob Jones and GFA Chief Executive Gary Roberts look out onto what will be the future of local football.
The GFA's ambition is to have as many people playing the game as possible.
Victoria Park will have an all-weather 3G main pitch and 9v9 training pitch, modern changing facilities with rehab facilities, as well as a clubhouse catering for 80 people and covered seating for 600 people.
Pictured: The project in an earlier stage. The buildings are now wind and water tight, another important stage ahead of the Spring opening.
The facility will be used year round.
"Last year, we lost over 400 matches to weather and this facility ensures that we won't be impacted as much. We can provide better training facilities for the local clubs, we can provide opportunities for schools to come down here. It's going to be fantastic for football and for the local community."
Guernsey FC will move from Footes Lane to be based at the facility.
Manager Tony Vance said Victoria Park would be "game-changing" for local football.
The ground will create an aspirational environment for younger players to come through the ranks and play for GFC and represent their island in murattis.
Details have been designed with getting the most out of the players, including a home dressing room where action can be reviewed on a large screen, separate rehabilitation and treatment rooms to aid preparation and recovery.
Pictured: Covered terraces behind the goals will be a bonus for fans.
There are clear financial benefits to having a footballing surface which will slash the number of postponements GFC has encountered in recent seasons when they are left picking up the opposition's travel costs.
Vance is excited by the prospect of being able to have preseason games and the chances for youngsters to play on the pitch before and after big matches, bringing everyone together.
"It's going to be a real community sort of feel and everyone within the club on and off the pitch will be together. Commercially, it goes without saying, we've got a clubhouse here now, we've got a facility and so hopefully it's going to be a real turning point for us."
Pictured: How the clubhouse will look.
Project planning began in 2014, with local architects Lovell Ozanne designing the stadium.
Guernsey-based building contractors Rihoy & Son started developing the site on Victoria Avenue, St Sampsons, in July 2023. Jason Powers Consultants have acted for the buyer throughout the process.
The project has been privately funded, including substantial investment from the Football Association, the Football Foundation and local benefactors.
For more information on Victoria Park, visit www.victoriapark.gg
Pictured top: GFC manager Tony Vance, Victoria Park Director Rob Jones and GFA Chief Executive Gary Roberts.
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