Is the stadium project dead?

[The Voodooguru]

It has been 11 months since the CSV website was updated and 4 months overdue some plans. Also someone I know asked some questions on the contact page before Xmas and got no reply. Can we assume that this project is dead in the water? Wasn't the financial input from the town deal also time-bound? 

In some ways it's a shame, but if we had to move into BP with just one new stand with hopes & promises of the rest of the stadium being funded then it is probably a blessing.

Can anyone shed any light on what is happening? 

[donald]

6 hours ago, The Voodooguru said:

It has been 11 months since the CSV website was updated and 4 months overdue some plans. Also someone I know asked some questions on the contact page before Xmas and got no reply. Can we assume that this project is dead in the water? Wasn't the financial input from the town deal also time-bound? 

In some ways it's a shame, but if we had to move into BP with just one new stand with hopes & promises of the rest of the stadium being funded then it is probably a blessing.

Can anyone shed any light on what is happening? 

Ground will be ready for the 27/28 season for reds they're gonna use derwent park for the 26/27 season 

[IanMac]

Don’t know what’s happening with the ground,  but the company that was set up with Dave Bowden and John Pleasants as directors and representatives of reds and town was voluntarily struck off companies house 12 months ago.  Dave Bowden has since been appointed as a director of Cumberland Sports Village Ltd as of Nov 24 together with a Michael Robertson. The money that was initially promised will be a drop in the ocean to what is needed now given the huge time delay, so not too sure how it can progress to the benefit of all. Given that the first phase was supposed to be completed at the end of this year I wouldn’t be holding my breath about being ready in 27/28 as plans haven’t even been submitted.
The work the directors have done in making Derwent Park, sorry Fibrus community stadium, a more fit for purpose stadium both for game day and events,  deserves credit and should anything eventually come to fruition,  I sincerely hope we don’t lose our ability to create income as the club do now. 

[Nero]

The new stadium will go ahead with or without Town, there are no plans to view yet, but as prices of everything keep rising, & the funds don't, the chances of it being anything like the idea that was mooted when Mark Jenkinson first announced it are highly unlikely. Borough park needs a revamp, but is still usable, DP is old & shabby but still functional. At the rate things develop in Cumberland I wouldn't hold my breath!

[The Voodooguru]

4 minutes ago, Nero said:

The new stadium will go ahead with or without Town, there are no plans to view yet, but as prices of everything keep rising, & the funds don't, the chances of it being anything like the idea that was mooted when Mark Jenkinson first announced it are highly unlikely. Borough park needs a revamp, but is still usable, DP is old & shabby but still functional. At the rate things develop in Cumberland I wouldn't hold my breath!

Is this based on opinion or do you know something Nero? I appreciate that build costs will have soared, and that is my biggest worry.

If it is a fully equipped stadium  that meets the needs of both clubs then fair enough, but if we lose DP in whatever state it is in to share a half cooked BP that never gets finished then is it worth it? Let's face it our BOD have worked wonders making the most of DP with all the teams that use it. A big lean to conservatory in place of the marquee on the side of the Gus bar would make a huge difference to making the stadium workable long term all year round.

 Ian Mac's info about the new company Dave B has switched to a couple of months ago means it can't be dead. I suppose we just have to wait to see what they cone up with. I won't hold my breath. 

[Route66]

Worrying times for sport in the town , absolutely no feedback on this venture from any source. As far as I understand reds lease is up this year and town sold theirs in 2020 leaving everyone vulnerable. Time for some honest comments from both boards, the council, the csv and mps present and past. The only answers I receive is work is going on but it’s confidential. Best comment I can make is let’s try and achieve a really large crowd on Friday night and show everyone the value of the club to the area

 

[Derwent Parker]

3 hours ago, Nero said:

The new stadium will go ahead with or without Town, there are no plans to view yet, but as prices of everything keep rising, & the funds don't, the chances of it being anything like the idea that was mooted when Mark Jenkinson first announced it are highly unlikely. Borough park needs a revamp, but is still usable, DP is old & shabby but still functional. At the rate things develop in Cumberland I wouldn't hold my breath!

Mark Jenkinson didn't announce it - he was one of the clowns that stopped it.

The original plan for a complete stadium with BFNL and NHS was stopped because of costs - but the BFNL part and the NHS part are still going ahead at a costs of Millions up at central Sq area.

The money given  for all those 3 projects will be the same or more expensive than the original plan.

[Derwent Parker]

2 hours ago, Route66 said:

Worrying times for sport in the town , absolutely no feedback on this venture from any source. As far as I understand reds lease is up this year and town sold theirs in 2020 leaving everyone vulnerable. Time for some honest comments from both boards, the council, the csv and mps present and past. The only answers I receive is work is going on but it’s confidential. Best comment I can make is let’s try and achieve a really large crowd on Friday night and show everyone the value of the club to the area

 

Town gave back/sold their lease knowing they were moving into a stadium that was good enough for both teams [ smaller but similar to LSV with 4 sides] etc.

I believe some/ most/of that money went on the DP pitch work to get it ready for both teams using it whilst BP was built.

Town did nothing wrong in that deal other than trust the council.

IT was the council that reneged on that deal not Town or Reds so if it does not get built both teams should be given their leases.

 

[Route66]

2 hours ago, Derwent Parker said:

Mark Jenkinson didn't announce it - he was one of the clowns that stopped it.

The original plan for a complete stadium with BFNL and NHS was stopped because of costs - but the BFNL part and the NHS part are still going ahead at a costs of Millions up at central Sq area.

The money given  for all those 3 projects will be the same or more expensive than the original plan.

19 million pound nhs diagnostic centre and 12.4 million pound innovation centre. As usual there is no joined up thinking in decisions and would have ideally and easily have been incorporated on one site with the stadium. Anyone who has walked down central square lately will wonder how planning permission was granted when they see it. Just hope that if it all goes pear shaped some money can be salvaged for a full size 4g pitch on the dog track site absolutely criminal that the council has allowed the town to still not have a facility within the town boundaries 

[Limmertime]

I think the projects under construction are funded differently to the original stadium plan which was to be funded using a PFI model, however completely agree all could have been in one facility.

I think the chances of the Council funding the stadium are very unlikely given the current state of local govt finance, politically dosent make sense either.

The only way I see the stadium coming to fruition is through private investment or via grants from say sport England.

I hope to see a new stadium, but looks unlikely...if it ever does happen let's hope it can be developed independently and without Political input

[dkw]

The opportunity to get a top class fully funded stadium was shafted by the imbecile Jenkinson and his political motivations, not even a single was given about the town by him, he just used it to get votes.

We now are in a position of getting the best we can get with much less funding, and a staged build instead of a clean one shot. He put the town back decades in every way, other than the big useless telly and a pub knocked down he accomplished sod all.

As far as i`m aware its still ongoing and in the final stage of funding, design etc. It is worrying how quiet its gone though.

[Death to the Rah Rah's]

the stadium should have been designed as part of the sports centre as it would have utilised the facilities already in place such as 4G pitch, changing facilities, gym, catering etc with a wider vision to incorporate office space hotels etc as the scheme progressed which would have regenerated that area of town.

But since then we have since seen a million + investment in a travelodge, the NHS diagnostic centre innovation centre, plus the sports centre which cost nearly 12 million - so combined cost of circa £50 million !!!

With a bit of foresight and planning they could all have been incorporated into a scheme which had a pitch and 4 stands around it as there's ample land on Brow Top for parking etc. plus its proximity to the town centre.

Unfortunately the area is full of councillors who are badly advised usually by consultants from outside the area about what's best for the town and its population  

 

 

[homeandawayer]

On 03/02/2025 at 09:26, Nero said:

The new stadium will go ahead with or without Town, there are no plans to view yet, but as prices of everything keep rising, & the funds don't, the chances of it being anything like the idea that was mooted when Mark Jenkinson first announced it are highly unlikely. Borough park needs a revamp, but is still usable, DP is old & shabby but still functional. At the rate things develop in Cumberland I wouldn't hold my breath!

Who are these people from Preston who are involved? 

[dkw]

Plenty of updates at the Reds agm last night apparently, planning applications in for demolotion, construction etc. Funding secured, and going for more for phase 2.

[DocH]

On 04/02/2025 at 08:04, dkw said:

The opportunity to get a top class fully funded stadium was shafted by the imbecile Jenkinson and his political motivations, not even a single was given about the town by him, he just used it to get votes.

We now are in a position of getting the best we can get with much less funding, and a staged build instead of a clean one shot. He put the town back decades in every way, other than the big useless telly and a pub knocked down he accomplished sod all.

As far as i`m aware its still ongoing and in the final stage of funding, design etc. It is worrying how quiet its gone though.

Now Now DKW remember Politics has nothing to do with sport!

[Peter Winthorpe]

I don't think they could apply for planning for Demolition without good quality drawing of what is propose to put in its place, These should be available to be viewed by the public once sunmitted,

[Peter Winthorpe]

I have had aquick look on the Cumberland planning website and can't see news of an applicayion.

It refers to £200k being released to pay for design works to proceed. Architects Manning Ellits of Penrith.

 

[Rex3]

Nobody has mentioned the proceeds from the sale of Fibrus Stadium land once it is vacated by the club. Surely that will go towards finance for the new stadium especially as it is for Town as well as Reds?. And I assume the Town Board will he involved in discussions about this?

[Death to the Rah Rah's]

9 hours ago, Rex3 said:

Nobody has mentioned the proceeds from the sale of Fibrus Stadium land once it is vacated by the club. Surely that will go towards finance for the new stadium especially as it is for Town as well as Reds?. And I assume the Town Board will he involved in discussions about this?

you would expect that the value of the land at DP would have increased at the same rate of building materials and I would have hoped by this point the land at DP would have already been marketed by the council's land agents to see if more than one operator wanted it in the hope which might cause a bidding war to add more money to the pot.

At the minute it all seems to be speculative with Town looking like they are the minor partners when in fact they are fetching more to the table than the Reds, who other than giving up the remainder of their lease aren't actually putting any finances in towards the build  

[Route66]

On 05/02/2025 at 08:30, dkw said:

Plenty of updates at the Reds agm last night apparently, planning applications in for demolotion, construction etc. Funding secured, and going for more for phase 2.

Reds have issued a press release today about the above, demolition of old grandstand in may and hope to stay there for a season during construction but should be completed for the following season.

[Brookie]

43 minutes ago, Route66 said:

Reds have issued a press release today about the above, demolition of old grandstand in may and hope to stay there for a season during construction but should be completed for the following season.

How will we know if it's been demolished? 

[Town blue white]

13 hours ago, Death to the Rah Rah's said:

you would expect that the value of the land at DP would have increased at the same rate of building materials and I would have hoped by this point the land at DP would have already been marketed by the council's land agents to see if more than one operator wanted it in the hope which might cause a bidding war to add more money to the pot.

At the minute it all seems to be speculative with Town looking like they are the minor partners when in fact they are fetching more to the table than the Reds, who other than giving up the remainder of their lease aren't actually putting any finances in towards the 

Hope we are not moving in with reds for 1 new part of the ground and the rest a sh#t hole?. With what we have achieved here at derwent park. That would be a very sad day!

[The Voodooguru]

3 hours ago, Route66 said:

Reds have issued a press release today about the above, demolition of old grandstand in may and hope to stay there for a season during construction but should be completed for the following season.

Its great that this has been announced when nobody even knows outside of the respective clubs BODs what the future ground even looks like. Obviously the reds will be #### a hoop as they are getting the new stand on their ground. They even want a temporary stand built so they can stay there during construction. If money is tight how is that even viable? 

[rockerlad]

9 minutes ago, The Voodooguru said:

Its great that this has been announced when nobody even knows outside of the respective clubs BODs what the future ground even looks like. Obviously the reds will be #### a hoop as they are getting the new stand on their ground. They even want a temporary stand built so they can stay there during construction. If money is tight how is that even viable? 

I was at the shareholders meeting, they said that was the preferred option but if it isn't feesable then they will have to look at playing elsewhere. What was talked about wasn't a temporary stand but porta kabins similar to want Salford football club used when they did their ground. 

Edited February 6 by rockerlad

[Nero]

What started as a new stadium with sports village seems to be a new shed on the reds ground!!!