Tom Piatak says Carlisle United are “almost there” with the first key stage of their major training ground development.

And things are pointing towards the team being able to train at the new Sheepmount facility by October.

Owner and chairman Piatak gave an update on the project at a members meeting of Carlisle United Supporters’ Trust.

The initial stage of the development – part of an agreement between United and Cumberland Council – will see training pitches developed on the site.

The longer-term plan is for a full state-of-the-art training centre.

“It's taking longer than I expected, than we expected, but we're almost there,” said Piatak.

“Lawyers are working on the final elements of the contracts [over] a five-year lease, so we can get two pitches of the quality that we need, which [groundsman] Dave Mitchell does, which is high quality, hopefully by October time frame.

“We want to get that done. It's a five-year lease that we're negotiating.

“The remainder of the training centre vision that we've outlined – that's going to take a little bit more [time], because we're going to need a longer lease, because of the amount of investment that will be going in.”

A new training ground has long been a key part of the Piataks’ vision for United and in June it was confirmed that plans were being worked on for a development on the Sheepmount’s upper plateau.

Piatak said it would be a major part of the aim to improve the club’s standing and stature – and will be something that appeals to players, supporters and the wider community.

“When you look at what has been done already, it's been amazing,” he said of other developments and renovations at the club.

“To be able to elevate that, which is our goal, is where we're headed.

“I think when we have that training facility and everything in place, we're going to get there. We will, as I say, ‘own the north.”