£4.5m to expand Cumberland Sports Village plans

An extra £4.5 million has been secured to extend the plans for Workington’s Cumberland Sports Village.

The cash, from the recently set up Cumbria Combined Authority means the new village, on the site of Workington Reds’ Borough Park ground, will have an expanded capacity of 5,000 and see all the terraces replaced.

The football team is due to play its last match at the existing ground this weekend.

Original plans were to create Cumberland Sports Village in two phases, earmarked to be open in July 2027.

It will be shared by Workington Reds and rugby outfit Workington Town, which currently plays at the Fibrus Community Stadium.

Phase 1 would deliver a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 3,700 spectators alongside a new 3G pitch for community use. Phase 2 would expand capacity to 5,000.

The revised scheme means work was likely to be carried out in a single phase.

It will now be project managed and delivered by Cumberland Council and a new timetable for work and opening will be produced.

The project had previously secured Workington Town Deal funding and support from Cumberland Council for the development of the site of Borough Park.

The additional CCA funding will result in the scheme being extended to include the replacement of all the terraces and increase the total capacity at the new stadium to 5,000.

The revised scheme will be project managed and delivered by Cumberland Council.

Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer said: “The Cumberland Sports Village forms a key element in the plans for the regeneration of Workington.

“The project will provide a transformed community sports and leisure offer within the Lower Derwent Valley close to Workington town centre and the existing Workington Leisure Centre, cricket and bowling clubs.

“As well as sport, the stadium will also act as a focal point for both the community and businesses within the area. An improved hospitality offer means the stadium will also be used for meetings, conferences, functions, events and community activities.

“We are delighted that the additional funding has been secured.”

John Barradell OBE, interim chief executive of the Cumbria Combined Authority, said: “One of our first actions as a combined authority – even before we’d held our first meeting – was to secure an additional £10m in funding for Cumbria from the Government.

“We are delighted that £4.5m of that money has been allocated to Cumberland Sports Village, to help further enhance the plans and create the stadium that fans and residents have been asking for.”

A planning application was submitted for the site last year and incorporated the option to deliver a larger scheme.

A decision on the application is expected at next month’s planning committee meeting.

The development of the community pitch is continuing to progress alongside the Football Foundation, Cumberland Council said.

"As we prepare for the final game at Borough Park, news of further enhancements to the project is exciting for Workington AFC, our supporters and the wider community who will benefit for many years ahead"

Phil Norman, Chairman, Workington AFC