The £6.4 million Cumberland Sports Village to be shared by Workington Town RLFC and Workington AFC – better known as Workington Reds – will be built on the site of the current Reds’ ground at Borough Park. In addition, a community sports pitch will be created on Lonsdale Park, the neighbouring former greyhound track.

Allerdale Borough Council has released £50,000 of funding to allow the management team leading the plans for the Cumberland Sports Village to create a business plan for the ambitious venture, and continue to put the people in place who will manage the project’s delivery.A key part of their work will be planning how to ensurelong term revenue streams for the stadium’s operations, and ensuring governance and financial structures are in place for the future.

The Cumberland Sports Villagebuild costs are being funded by the Government’s Town Deal and by Allerdale Borough Council.

In addition, a new website for the project – www.cumberlandsportsvillage.org.uk – goes live this week. This will enable all stakeholders to track the project’s progress. The site will enable a direct link to the key personnel from the clubs and the project management, ensuring there is a two-way process of both receiving feedback and answering queries.

Councillor Mike Johnson, Leader of Allerdale Borough 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. 

“The website is intended to ensure everyone is kept informed when we reach each of the key stages.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.”

The website is live now at www.cumberlandsportsvillage.org.uk