 | |
| Location | Black Path, Workington, Cumberland, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°38′52″N3°32′55″W / 54.64778°N 3.54861°W |
| Opened | 10 September 1892 |
| Closed | 1999 |
Lonsdale Park also known as West Cumberland Stadium was a stadium, now demolished, used for greyhound racing, football and for motorcycle racing in Workington, Cumberland.
Lonsdale Park was constructed as a rugby football ground in an area known as Cloffocks on the south bank of the River Derwent and on the north side of Black Path. [1]
The ground officially opened on 10 September 1892, when Workington RFC moved from their Valentine Ground [2] to a newly built enclosure on the Cloffocks, which they named Lonsdale Park. [3]
Lonsdale Park was also used by Workington A.F.C. from 1909, when the team moved from their Ashfield Ground. [4] In May 1937, Workington A.F.C. were forced to move because the stadium was leased to a Scottish greyhound and speedway company. [5] They moved to their new Borough Park ground built next door on the west side of Lonsdale Park.
Greyhound racing first started at Lonsdale Park on 27 May 1933. [6] However in October 1933, the White City Sports Stadium Preston Ltd who had taken out the lease on Lonsdale Park and started to build a track and kennels, suspended operations due to financial difficulties. [7] Shortly afterwards a new company called Lonsdale Park Greyhound Racing Stadium Ltd, led by Directors Arthur Crosby, Frank Marsh and William Smith, took over. Smith had also been involved with the previous company. [8] A new grand opening resulted during February 1934.
The stadium came under new management again in 1942. [9] The racing was independent (unaffiliated to a governing body).
In the 1960s racing was on Monday and Saturday nights at 7.00pm over distances of 320 and 500 yards. The track circumference was a large 440 yards and an 'Inside Sumner' hare system was used. The principal race was the Workington Derby and amenities included a members club and snack bar. [9]
By the late 1980s the distances were 320, 530 and 760 yards, there were kennels on site for 50 greyhounds and a car park for 200 vehicles. Facilities included three bars and a covered stand. [10]
Speedway took place at the stadium 1931-1932 and again from 1937-1938. [11]
The greyhound racing ended in 1999 when Cumbrian engineer Ernie Little pulled out of the track, having spent £38,000 in just two years in an attempt to keep the venue going. His wife Jan would apply for a trainer's license elsewhere. [12] The site was later demolished.
On 30 October 2018, the former Lonsdale Park site was sold to Allerdale Borough Council for £210,000. [13] The council acquired the site to build the proposed new Workington Community Stadium. [14]
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