Plans for a new ambitious shared stadium in Workington have taken a major step forward.
It has been announced that £50,000 has been released by Allerdale council so a business plan can be created for the sports village plans.
Cumberland Sports Village will see a stadium for Workington Town and Workington Reds to share on the site of the football team’s Borough Park and a community sports pitch will be created on Lonsdale Park, the former greyhound track.
Around £6.4 million has already been raised for the first phase of the stadium build, which will include, as a minimum, a new main grandstand with changing rooms and hospitality areas, plus lots of additional space.
A key part of the sports village management team’s work will be planning how to ensure long term revenue streams for the stadium’s operations, and ensuring governance and financial structures are in place for the future.
The Cumberland Sports Village build costs are being funded by the Government’s Town Deal and by Allerdale Borough Council.
Mike Johnson, leader of Allerdale council, said: “We fully expect to see things moving now initial finances have been advanced as this will enable the completion of
the final conditions required to release the overall funding package. Work is already underway on much of this work and it feels like an exciting time.”
A spokesman for Cumberland Sports Village added: “Sports fans, local residents, sponsors and stakeholders will have many questions about the project, particularly surrounding stadium design and operations.”
A new website has been set up – www.cumberlandsportsvillage.org.uk – to help keep people informed.
The spokesman added: “Not every question can be fully answered at this stage, we do though expect the project to move quickly now and this website will be an easily accessible place for everyone to keep updated.”
