Workington Town Council has backed the purchase of the Ranch sports ground at Moss Bay to guarantee the future of a community junior football club.
Councillors voted unanimously to proceed with the purchase of the ground which has been the home of Workington Reds Juniors FC for 20 years.
Previously it had been home to British Steel teams playing football, cricket, rugby union and hockey.
There had been a proposal to renegotiate the sale of the land for a reported £140,000 but instead councillors voted on an amendment to go ahead with the purchase.
Supporters of the club – which has 600 members – greeted the councillors when they arrived for the meeting, displaying placards and urging them to support the sale.
A delighted club chairman David Garrett said: “The EGM was called to present to the full council the proposal to purchase the Ranch to enable Workington Juniors FC to continue to use it.
“The amendment on motions presented to the council to progress the purchase and option from various reports were unanimously agreed.
“This now provides a collaborative approach between Workington Town Council, Workington Juniors FC and other stakeholders to commence further work to develop the Ranch into a first class community sports facility.
“As chairman I would like to thank all support offered from within the club and externally. A huge thanks goes to Keith Wareing who has provided masses of guidance and support to me during the past 12 months.
“We have won! We have full agreement from within the council to proceed with the sale. Everything is removed with regards to barriers. Now the sale proceeds. Workington Juniors have got the Ranch.”
Labour councillor Michael Heaslip said: “The council has been mulling this over for months, but it was time to decide and get on with it. I’m pleased the council agreed, and we can try to lift this burden of worry from all those youngsters who just want to play football without the threat of eviction by their current landlord hanging over them.”
The issue has caused political turmoil in the council, with Labour and independent councillors at loggerheads.
Coun Heaslip claimed the independents had dithered over the Ranch’s future, adding: “The Independents say they want to buy the Ranch but they have not put forward any proposal for the council to vote on.”
But Independent Paul Scott said: “I was pleased to support the successful motion presented by Councillor Jacqueline Kirkbide and seconded by myself. Councillor Heaslip’s original motion was contentious and unhelpful in completing the progress needed.
“As independent councillors we called the EGM, some Labour councillors had made the working group difficult with failing to agree meeting dates and talking about issues from years ago that had nothing to do with the new proposal.
“Our motion was simple enough and offered the council a clear and workable funding plan that was set out by independent councillors.
“The terms of reference were issued in March by the vendor and progress needed to be made to ensure the continued success of Workington Juniors. That is the most important thing for all independent councillors, this deal must go ahead and quickly because the children and the dedicated coaches and officials of Workington Juniors deserve a home they are secure in and able to work to improve for years to come.”
The land was up for sale for £140,000 but Coun Heaslip said: “The ‘valuation’ of the land which some people have been referring to is no use because it’s based on incorrect information. We cannot agree to buy any land without a proper valuation. And when we get one, that will tell us the price we are legally allowed to pay. If it’s a price the seller will accept, OK.”
Councillor David Farrar, who seconded the motion, warned: “We are not out of the woods yet as we need to sort the details with our legal advisers but we are a lot nearer a solution after tonight’s meeting.”
