FWP shows off £10.5m Cumbrian stadium
Design details of plans to create a 3,700-capacity multi-use stadium for both Workington AFC and Workington Town RLFC, known as Cumberland Sports Village, have been revealed.
Workington’s Cumberland Sports Village aims to build an improved home for both sports clubs while creating a focal point for the town’s community, capable of hosting a wide range of events.
With designs unveiled, a public consultation will soon begin. The aim is for a planning application to be submitted by the end of July 2025. Work could begin by early 2026 to be on track for a late summer 2027 finish.
Designs have been drawn up by architect FWP. Cumberland Sports Village Management will deliver the project, supported by a range of consultants including Curtins, PSA, Baker Mallet, Wardell Armstrong, and Savills.
The first phase of the £10.5m investment is the construction of four new stands to deliver 1,000 covered seats and space for 2,700 standing spectators, a total ground capacity of 3,700.
Plans for the site have been significantly scaled back since the first proposals were floated in Feburary 2019. The £29m plans were for an 8,000-capacity stadium with hospitality and conference facilities, a 3G training pitch on nearby land, as well as 29,000 sq ft of office accommodation for Sellafield, and 28,000 sq ft for NHS facilities.
The plans were then discarded by the council a year later with the message “no deadlines, no plans and no aspirations” in regards to development at the site.
Existing facilities at the sports ground off the A597 are to be razed, and all four sides of the pitch will get replacement stands. The turf pitch will also be swapped out for a 3G pitch suitable for a range of uses and weather conditions.
The West Stand, which is the largest, would provide 1,000 spectator seats and amenities such as a 120-capacity function suite, executive boxes, a sports bar, and an indoor fan zone.
Administrative facilities, players’ changing rooms, media suites, kit facilities, and a match day control room would also be housed in the West Stand.
The North Stand will be demolished to make way for a refreshed and repositioned 700-person uncovered terrace, which would provide space for the expansion of the playing area and any future development.
The commercial offer inside the West Stand. Credit: FWP
Both the East and South Stands are to be replaced with covered spectator standing terraces to accommodate 1,000 people each.
The East Stand will also be positioned further east to accommodate the expansion of the Main Stand.
Further down the line, the stadium could be expanded further. Masterplanning has accounted for potential future success of the clubs, meaning provisions have been made for a 5,000-capacity facility in the future. Details for future phases are yet to be revealed by CSV.
Both clubs, football team Workington AFC and Rugby League outfit Workington Town, expressed alignment and excitement with the plans, noting the “valuable commercial opportunities” and “sensible and realistic” approach to development.
The North Stand terrace. Credit: FWP
The scheme will be funded by the government through the Workington Town Deal, the Football Foundation, and Cumberland Council. The local authority will be responsible for the allocation of funding and oversight of its use. Last March, the council released £235,000 for the scheme.
Architect FWP is also advising on designs for Stockport County’s Edgeley Park upgrades.
Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, added: “[The council] remains fully committed to CSV 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.”
Dave Bowden, spokesman for CSV, added that the project is “built on partnership and shared vision” and has the potential for “lasting benefits for Workington AFC, Workington Town RLFC, and the whole community”.
The Manning Elliot Partnership was the concept architect for the development and enabled Cumberland Sports Village to secure funding from the Town Fund Grant. FWP was then chosen for detailed design and technical delivery.
A planning application is due to be submitted to Cumberland Council in the next month.
