Last week, Philadelphia Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz told PSP that construction of the senior team training facility in Lot B had begun.

On Monday, the Union sent out an email to season ticket holders detailing some of the changes that can be expected as construction, expected to last six to eight weeks, continues.

Here are some things to keep in mind, beginning with Sunday’s 8 pm game against San Jose Earthquakes, as directly quoted from the email:

• The practice facility will be built atop what is currently Lot B – the map below shows the reformation of Lot B and the shift back a couple hundred feet to the front half of the former Lot C area.
• Lot C will then shift to the back of what is currently Lot C with the road heading towards the Wharf building as the dividing point (also denoted on the map below)
• Lot B VIP will shift to the River Side of the former Lot B area. This will also include handicap accessible parking.  The back half of the VIP section of Lot B will be used as a construction zone for the short term, but will reopen for Lot B VIP patrons once construction is complete.
• Traffic flow will remain the same for Lot B and C upon entrance as noted in the diagram.  Those parking in Lot B will enter through the normal spot, and continue on past the training fields into the new Lot B.
• Cash parking will no longer be available in Lot B, and will only be accepted in Lot C at this time. Those with Lot C passes will still have a guaranteed spot in Lot C, no change there.
• Those that had a Lot B/C parking pass will be parking in Lot C for the remainder of 2014.

The larger gray area is where the practice facility will be. The arrows indicate the traffic paths to Lots B, B-VIP, and C. Image courtesy of Philadelphia Union

The email concludes,

We appreciate your patience with this as this is a major step forward for our organization. It helps with player recruitment, training, and improved field quality at PPL Park – so consider this advancement a great step in continuing to entice high valued talent to play for your Philadelphia Union! Lot B is still just a short minute walk to the stadium, with Lot C just a little further back.

Between the player moves in July, the team’s berth in the U.S. Open Cup Final (Sept 16 at PPL Park against Seattle), and this new training facility, it is a very exciting time to be a Union fan!  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask, as we want to ensure the gameday experience is still just as positive as it has been for the past five seasons.

If you have questions about the new parking arrangements, contact Union Fan services by phone at 1-877-218-6466 or by email at FanServices@philadelphiaunion.com.