As preparations progress for the construction of a new community stadium, Workington Town and Workington Reds have been working closely together.
Work has been done to ensure Town’s Fibrus Community Stadium is ready to serve as the Reds’ temporary home throughout the build period.
Significant work has been required to ensure the stadium meets the differing ground-grading standards of both the Rugby Football League and the Northern Premier League.
Alongside this, both clubs have been planning how they will operate together on match days while maintaining the pitch to a high standard for all potential use by all teams associated with Workington Town and Workington Reds, training sessions, and wider community use.
This collaboration has brought an unprecedented level of co-operation between the management teams and ground staff of both clubs.
Town Chair Graeme Peers said: “From day one, our aim has been to ensure that Phil and everyone at Reds feel welcome here and that this becomes their home.
“I’ve been delighted with how hard our staff and volunteers – working alongside those from the football club – have worked to ensure we meet the NPL’s ground-grading criteria.
“Our first priority was improving the playing surface, a project that began in June managed by sports pitch specialist SIS.
“This will give us a pitch capable of handling the increased use while providing the more refined surface required for football.”
Ground and maintenance teams from both clubs have also been working to deliver additional requirements, including new officials’ changing facilities, resurfaced asphalt sections, updated stewarding protocols, new mobile dugouts, and easily removable football and rugby posts.
Reds chair Phil Norman praised the partnership.
He said: “It can’t be easy to manage the idea of another team playing at your stadium, but the willingness from Graeme and his staff to get stuck into the work has made the process more than achievable.
“There is still more to do – particularly around where we will operate from during this interim period – but we’re planning to have everything in place before we need to leave.”
Both clubs said they recognised the importance of delivering a strong matchday experience for supporters and sponsors.
“Of course, there’s a tinge of sadness as we leave Borough Park,” Phil added, “but I’m confident we can deliver an improved matchday experience for everyone associated with Reds in the interim.
“The exact date of our move will be confirmed once builders are appointed and we are able to share further detail with our shareholders.”
