Plans to create a sports village in West Cumbria have taken a significant step forward.
Cash has been released so detailed proposals can be drawn up for the Cumberland Sports Village, on the site of Workington Reds’ Borough Park ground.
Cumberland Council has agreed the release of grant funding worth £235,000 as part of the Workington Town Deal.
It will also be used to also instruct architects and bring in the expertise of other professionals to prepare the planning documents.
It is expected that the application will be made to Cumberland Council by the autumn.
Cumberland Sports Village Limited, a company limited by guarantee, will be responsible for the development of the site, and will also be able to call upon additional funding from Allerdale Investment Partnership to fund its initial operating costs.
The build costs for the initial phase of the Cumberland Sports Village are being funded by the Government’s Town Deal fund and by Cumberland Council.
Dave Bowden, spokesman for Cumberland Sports Village, said: “The next stage of work to build the new Cumberland Sports Village can now begin in earnest.
“The grant of this funding means we can put everything in place to draw up the detailed plans and show sports fans across the county and beyond how this fabulous new stadium is going to look.
“This is more than just a sports ground, it’s an entire community facility, and it’s exciting to see it gathering pace.”
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer added: “I am very pleased the council is now able to release this initial tranche of funding.
“I have been fighting for West Cumbria to have a top-class stadium for many years and it is fantastic that the architects are now able to create the detailed designs for a venue which will cement our status as major players on the sporting map.”
