FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced their intentions to utilize the state-of-the-art training facilities at Gillette Stadium on a year-round basis, making 2003 the first year in the franchise's 43-year existence that the team will not have to relocate its football operations to a temporary training facility to accommodate their summer training regiment.

"We are proud to finally have a premier training facility that we can use year-round," said Patriots Chief Operating Officer Andy Wasynczuk. "We think it will be beneficial to our coaches and players alike, and are excited about the potential we will have for entertaining the thousands of Patriots fans who attend practices throughout the summer."

The Patriots first training camp opened on July 4, 1960 at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Over 350 prospects attended that inaugural camp. In 1976, the Patriots relocated their camp to Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I., summer home to the Patriots for the past 26 years.

"Bryant College, the town of Smithfield and its residents have welcomed the Patriots to their home for the past two-and-a-half decades," said Wasynczuk. "They have been great hosts to both the Patriots and our fans. We are anxious to now return the favor in welcoming Bryant College officials and our many fans from Smithfield to our home next year when we host our first training camp at Gillette Stadium."

The Patriots training facilities at Gillette Stadium include three grass football fields, one indoor field, a 6,500 square foot locker room, a 6,500 square foot weight room, and a 4,700 square foot training room, complete with nine whirlpool tubs, a hot tub, a steam room and sauna, as well as a SwimEx rehabilitation pool. With over 330 acres, the Gillette Stadium site will provide parking accommodations for over 14,000 automobiles and grounds for other types of family entertainment, including Patriots Experience, an interactive football-themed playground for Patriots fans of all ages.