The Cumberland Sports Village project will bring together Workington Reds Football Club and rugby club under one roof. This development requires relocating the two teams and creating a unified facility that will serve both sports effectively. PSA will deliver comprehensive building services design covering everything from pitch lighting to hospitality suites. The project prioritises sustainability, with electric heat pumps and energy-efficient lighting throughout. Working alongside architects at FWP, our role will encompass safety systems, CCTV networks, and ensuring the facility meet modern standards for both spectator comfort and operational efficiency.
CLIENT: Cumberland Council, Workington AFC and Workington Town RLFC
LOCATION: Workington, Cumbria
VALUE: £10.6m
SERVICES: Mechanical & Electrical Design & Consultancy RIBA Stages 1-4
CLIENT OBJECTIVES
Workington’s sporting community is currently split across two stadiums. The client recognised that combining both clubs into one purpose-built venue would deliver better value for money whilst strengthening local sport. The client desires a sustainable stadium that will reflect modern expectations for player facilities and spectator experience. The brief emphasises environmental responsibility alongside functionality – this isn’t just about creating a bigger stadium, but a smarter one. Energy efficiency needs to be built in from the start. The client also prioritises safety and security. Most importantly, it wanted a facility that would serve the community for decades, requiring robust design that could adapt to changing needs whilst keeping running costs manageable.
OUR SOLUTION
We will approach this project by first understanding how both sports would use the facility throughout the year, ensuring our designs support year-round operation without unnecessary energy waste. The mechanical and electrical systems need to work seamlessly together, creating comfortable conditions for players and spectators whilst keeping environmental impact low.
Our technical designs will include:
- Comprehensive lighting design for stands, pitch, and hospitality areas
- Complete power distribution systems throughout the facility
- Electric heat pump installation for sustainable temperature control
- VRF heating and cooling and heat recovery ventilation
- Integrated CCTV and security systems covering all public and operational areas
- Energy-efficient LED lighting systems with smart controls
We are working closely with FWP architects to ensure our services integrate smoothly with the building design. We will evaluate each system against the sustainability brief, recommending electric heat pumps over gas alternatives and designing lighting that minimises light pollution whilst meeting sporting standards.
THE OUTCOME
The stadium due to be completed Summer 2027, will successfully house both Workington clubs in a facility designed for the future. Our building services design will deliver the operational efficiency the council is seeking whilst supporting the environmental goals guiding the project. The integrated approach means maintenance teams can manage one facility instead of two, reducing long-term costs.
Images courtesy of FWP Group
