Council to Support Workington’s Bid to Host Rugby League World Cup Games

Allerdale council has agreed to improve the Derwent Park stadium boosting Workington’s bid to host Rugby League World Cup games.

The council executive yesterday agreed to make up the funding shortfall to a maximum of £50,000 – subject to the completion of a works schedule.

The upgrade will allow the stadium to meet the standards required of Rugby League World Cup 2013 host venues.

Council leader Alan Smith said: “When I heard that west Cumbria might not get any of the World Cup matches, I was determined that this council would do everything it could to try and secure the events.

“The Rugby League World Cup 2013 is a highly prestigious event, which will raise the profile and bring trade to the area, and strongly aligns to the council’s commitment to support festivals and events.

“It has taken huge effort and a lot of discussions within a very short time frame with representatives from Workington Town RLFC, Britain’s Energy Coast and the World Cup organisers to get this far, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we have just taken another positive step in the right direction.

“We can make this happen; we can bring the Rugby League World Cup to West Cumbria.”

Rt Hon Brian Wilson, Chairman of Britain’s Energy Coast, said: “We still want to see the Rugby League World Cup coming to West Cumbria in 2013 and the Derwent Park proposal has created a way of keeping that objective alive.

“Hosting these games will be an economic opportunity for the whole of west Cumbria and it would be a great pity to lose it at this juncture. We are willing to help fund the improvements required at Derwent Park and await a detailed application.

“This will be money well-spent not just in order to secure the World Cup fixtures for west Cumbria but also to create better facilities for the whole community in the longer term.”

Dave Bowden, Workington Town chairman, added: “This is a wonderful and unique opportunity to raise participation in sport by trying to ensure West Cumbria hosts the Rugby League World Cup in Workington.

“I can only praise the commitment from Britain’s Energy Coast and Allerdale Council.”

According to estimates the cost will be between £400,000 and £450,000. The Britain’s Energy Coast Board has ringfenced £350,000 for the scheme, subject to any necessary balance of funding being provided through external sources.