FWP works to make sports village plan a home win

FWP, the creative force behind some of the UK’s most innovative sports projects, has unveiled its vision for a new community stadium in Cumbria.

The Cumberland Sports Village (CSV) project will deliver a modern home for Workington’s football and rugby league clubs.

It will also be a focal point for the community and businesses in the area, with the ability to host meetings, conferences, functions, events and other activities.

A planning application has now been submitted for the development by Cumberland Sports Village Ltd following a public engagement exercise which saw a positive reaction to the plans.

Subject to approval, the aim is to start construction work in early 2026 and for the project to be completed by late summer 2027.

Under the proposed plan Workington AFC’s current ground will be redeveloped in phases, with the initial stage delivering a 3,700-capacity stadium.

The final stage would see the capacity extended to 5,000. The project aims to be sustainable both environmentally, socially and economically.

FWP, based in Preston, has wide-ranging experience delivering successful ground developments for clubs at all levels of the football pyramid, including Preston North End, Fleetwood Town, Peterborough United and Stockport County in the EFL.

The leading architecture, design and masterplanning practice has built a national reputation for its sports work, through its design expertise and an approach that looks to create sustainable community stadiums.

FWP, which also has offices in Manchester and London, has worked with Cumberland Sports Village Management (CSVM), Workington AFC and Workington RLC, Cumberland Council and other interested groups to develop a comprehensive upgrading strategy for the existing CSV site, which sits near the River Derwent.

If approved by planners the initial work will see the ground’s main West Stand demolished and replaced. The new stand will have spectator seating for up to 1,000, a large first floor function suite and executive boxes.

There will also be a sports bar and external fan zone at ground level and an internal concourse. The new main stand will also include four new changing rooms, administrative space for both clubs, a main reception, press and media suite and a match day control room.

The existing grass pitch will be replaced with a 3G pitch suitable for both football and rugby use.

The project is supported by the UK government’s Town Deal, Cumberland Council and Football Foundation funding.

Neil Ainsworth, partner at FWP, said: “From the outset of this project we have followed a number of key design principles, based on our experience designing and delivering complex sports stadia projects at multiple grading levels and at varying scales, right across the country.

“Crucially, this plan is able to be delivered in a phased manner over the course of several years, allowing flexibility for the clubs to improve facilities and expand the ground capacity in-line with success both on and off the pitch.”

He added: “We are committed to eco-friendly design and delivering a stadium which incorporates regenerative solutions from the outset. The plan we have drawn up will be sustainable both environmentally, socially and economically.

“As in all our work we are looking create a true community stadium, with high-quality spaces that local people and groups can use.

“The design will allow for flexible-use and functionality, with options to use spaces such as the hospitality areas for health and community activities

“It will also deliver a stadium that is energy efficient, utilising long-lasting and renewable materials wherever practical and incorporating green technologies which reduce the consumption of energy, water and non-renewable resources.”

Workington AFC currently play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, which is the seventh tier of English football. Workington Town compete in League One, the third tier of British Rugby League.

FWP has also worked with a host of ambitious non-league football sides including Leamington, AFC Fylde, Hastings United and FC United of Manchester on ground schemes.

It successfully delivered Mill Farm Sports Village, a £20million development on the Fylde coast that includes sports, commercial and leisure facilities, including a 6,000-capacity stadium for National League North club AFC Fylde.

FWP’s strategic advice and design expertise, as well as the ability to work to budgets, proves crucial when sports clubs are seeking to improve their stadium facilities.

It also has a strong reputation in the racecourse sector – helping deliver projects at courses including York, Haydock, Doncaster, Aintree Chester, Southwell and Lingfield.

For more details of FWP, its services and its projects, please visit www.fwpgroup.co.uk