An £870,000 works programme to install a state-of-the-art 3G turf pitch and improve the grounds at the Frenchfield Stadium in Penrith has begun.
The stadium is owned by Westmorland & Furness Council and is leased to Penrith Football Club The club, which currently supports over 30 football teams, including male, female and junior teams, has been working with Cumberland Football Association to improve its facilities to meet the increasing demand for women’s football and winter training.
This project, funded by investments from the FA and Government’s Football Foundation, Penrith Football Club and the Premier League Club Development Fund, as well as Westmorland & Furness Council, is part of the council's ongoing commitment to promote physical activity and sports participation among children, young people and adults – as set out in its Council Plan.
The new 3G – or third-generation - pitch is an all-weather surface which consists of synthetic turf, sand infill and rubber infill. These pitches allow for better grip, give a smoother playing surface and improve shock absorption.
The installation of the new pitch will provide opportunities for increased community access, football participation and engagement in the area. It will also contribute towards improving the quality and capacity of facilities, develop new sports and leisure provision and drive up participation in sport and physical activity locally. The pitch can also be used for other sports.
Cllr Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “Penrith Football Club has contributed a great deal to the town, to sport and to everyone’s enjoyment of it, for well over a hundred years. I am really delighted that the work to improve their stadium has finally begun – my thanks to everyone who put in so much blood sweat and tears to make it happen.
“The new pitch will provide benefits not only to the football club, but also to the wider community. Enhancing the facilities will promote physical activity, creating a space for people of all ages to participate in sports and lead healthy lifestyles.
“Everyone’s investment will support the long-term sustainability of the club, I hope for at least another hundred years. I’m particularly pleased that the club will have improved facilities to support the women’s game and I look forward to seeing our first Penrith Lioness!”
Penrith AFC General Manager, Billy Williams, said: “I’m delighted to see the club’s hard work on this project finally come to fruition. Over the last few years we’ve developed a positive working relationship, formerly with Eden District Council and now with Westmorland & Furness Council, to help secure the investment needed to improve the facilities at the stadium.
"Thanks to them and our partners at the Cumberland FA, the FA’s Football Foundation and the Premier League Club Development Fund, Penrith AFC can now develop new revenue streams from renting its improved facilities to secure a more sustainable financial footing for the club."
Craig Lewis, Football Development Manager at the Cumberland FA, said:“It’s fantastic to see the upgrade work being done at Penrith AFC. The new 3G pitch will provide the club with a base to train and play as many games as possible with the pitch able to facilitate each format of the game.
The Club along with Westmorland and Furness Council as well as bid Consultant, Nathan Rogerson have worked extremely hard to build the application to be submitted to the Football Foundation for approval.
“It is hoped the investment will assist Penrith AFC with providing a Community focused site for all to enjoy Football within a first class facility.
“The County FA has supported the progress of this project since late 2020 and we’d like to thank everyone involved who has helped us to get to the point of delivering the project. It’s also important to recognise the contribution of our late Chairman, Fred Conway, who was one of the key supporters of this project in the early stages of development.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Penrith AFC and Westmorland and Furness Council as the new 3G Pitch becomes available to use by the club and the wider Grassroots Football Community.”
Work to install the 3G pitch is expected to end in mid-September. In order to minimise disruption to the start of the football season, Penrith AFC has arranged to front load its away fixtures until the pitch and stadium improvements are completed and the club can welcome fans back for home fixtures.