The Cumberland Sports Village in Workington is expected to be completed and operational by July 2027.
The two sets of shareholders with both Workington Reds and Workington Town, who will share the new stadium built on the present Borough Park site, were updated at two separate meetings last night.
The stadium is to be built in two stages with an initial 3,700 capacity increased to 5,000 when it is completed. It will include a 1,000 seater stand.
The official planning application will be made next month along with a submission for approval to demolish.
The selection process for the contractor involved will begin in September and planning approval is expected in December.
When the building contractor has been appointed before Christmas, Reds will then look to temporary move grounds in January next year.
Demolition of Borough Park would start in January and the construction work is expected to begin in March next year, due to be completed in May 2027.
The fit out will be completed in June and the stadium will be open for both clubs in July 2027.
The new pitch will be 3G and there will be a special fans zone and marquee created in the first phase of the development. All four sides of the ground will be covered by completion.
On completion the initial development will have a total capacity of 3,700 – 2,700 standing and 1,000 seated spectators. New floodlighting around the pitch will be configured as required in accordance with ground grading requirements.
A community pitch will be created on Allerdale House car park.
The delivery of the project is being led by CSV Ltd and is being supported by a range of experienced specialists including FWP, Curtins, PSA, Baker Mallet, Wardell Armstrong and Savills
Dave Bowden, spokesman for Cumberland Sports Village, said: “We’re pleased to be part of such positive progress on the Cumberland Sports Village project. It’s a project built on partnership and shared vision and we’re excited by the potential it holds to create lasting benefits for Workington AFC, Workington Town RLFC, and the whole community. We thank everyone involved in reaching this stage and look forward to continue working hard to make this vision a reality.”
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer, added: “We remain fully committed to supporting Cumberland Sports Village Ltd in delivering the Sports Village project. I have been fighting for West Cumbria to have a top-class stadium for many years and it is fantastic that we now have some revised detailed designs for a venue which will cement our status as major players on the sporting map.”
A spokesman from Workington AFC said: “Workington AFC is proud to share the exciting plans for a new community stadium – an ambitious and important step forward for the club’s future. We thank our supporters and stakeholders for their patience throughout this process.
“The proposed development will provide a modern, high-quality facility to support first-team performance, youth development, and the ongoing delivery of our club’s community programmes across West Cumbria.
“It also presents valuable commercial opportunities to help secure long-term sustainability. The Board of Workington AFC looks forward to help make these plans a reality for our club and community.”
A spokesman from Workington Town added: “The Workington Town board fully supports the proposed designs for a new stadium and community facility. This development marks a significant step forward for both the club and the wider area, offering modern infrastructure to support rugby league, local sport, and community events.
“We believe that the project will inspire future generations to want to watch and play sport in this facility. We feel that the project is of the right scale, with a sensible and realistic approach, and will provide lasting benefits for Workington and West Cumbria. We’re excited to play our part in this ambitious and transformative project.”
What will the sports village look like?
West Stand (Main Stand)
The existing stand will be demolished and replaced with a new main stand building which will provide greatly improved club facilities featuring:
- Spectator seating for up to 1,000 people, with a good provision of wheelchair viewing spaces.
- A large first floor function suite with lift access and a seating capacity of c.120.
- A series of executive boxes on the first floor. These areas, with floor to ceiling glass windows, will have dedicated terrace seats in a prime position offering excellent views of the pitch.
- A sports bar and an external fan zone at ground level and internal concourse.
- The main stand will also include:
- Administrative space for both clubs, a main reception, press/media suite and a match day control room.
- Four new changing room spaces for clubs, officials, and community groups alongside all the necessary supporting facilities such as WCs, medical room and laundry/kit facilities.
North Stand Terrace
The existing uncovered terracing will be demolished and replaced with an uncovered terrace for around 700 spectators. This will be located further north by around nine metres to allow for the expansion of the playing area and future development.
East Stand
The existing east stand (the Popular Side) will be demolished and replaced with a new covered spectator standing terrace to accommodate around 1,000 spectators. This will be positioned further to the east than the existing stand by 7m to allow for the expansion of the playing surface and expansion of the main stand.
South Stand
The existing south stand (the Town End) will be demolished and replaced with a new covered spectator standing terrace to accommodate around 1,000 spectators.
The existing turf pitch will be replaced with a 3G pitch suitable for both football and rugby use. Impacted areas to all stands around the pitch will be made good and provided with suitable new run off areas, pitch perimeter fencing and compliant access to meet all building and stadia guidance. New turnstiles and boundary fencing will be provided as required.
