Construction of the Clyde Best Centre of Excellence at the BFA Field in Prospect is nearing completion.

The two-storey complex, named in honour of the former West Ham striker, will become the new headquarters of the Bermuda Football Association.

The $1.3?million facility will also feature meeting space on the upper level and changing rooms, referee room, public bathrooms, training and treatment room as well as storage on the lower field level.

David Sabir, the BFA general secretary, said that the facility would support football in a variety of ways and enhance the work of the National Academy.

“[The centre] will support the usage of those who frequent the venue to play and train, such as our member clubs, CedarBridge Academy to name a few, and to assist the administrative arm of the Association,” Sabir said.

“It will be very satisfying to call the Clyde Best Centre of Excellence the home of the Bermuda Football Association.

“It will be a proud moment for the BFA, its member clubs, players, coaches and all others who have laid the foundation of the BFA to be able to say the Association has its own home.

“However, as is the case currently, we open up our facility to other organisations to be able to use the facility when possible.

“This will be one of many football epicentres around Bermuda.”

Plans for the multi-purpose complex, which is behind schedule, were first submitted in September 2010 and later slightly modified. In July 2012, the Bermuda Government approved the granting of a 50-year lease of 0.71 acres of land at Prospect to the BFA for the complex.

Work started on the 4,000 square foot building in May of last year while funding for the field and building was provided by the Fifa Goal Project. “The Clyde Best Centre of Excellence [field and building] is only made possible through the kind support of Fifa through its many development programmes,” Sabir added.

“The aim of the programme, known as ‘Goal’, is to support each national association around the world with its own football facility — whether that be an office, field, dormitory, technical centre or any other project to support the ongoing development of the game.”

If all goes accordingly, the BFA intend to move into their new headquarters prior to the start of the 2014-15 season.

“Completion of phase one is scheduled for the third quarter of this year, although the plan is to push the construction along in order that we have a chance to move in prior to the start of the upcoming season,” Sabir said.