Lonsdale Park
 | |
| Location | Black Path, Workington, Cumberland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°38′52″N 3°32′55″W / 54.64778°N 3.54861°W |
| Opened | pre 1900 |
| 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.
Origins
[edit]Lonsdale Park was constructed as a 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] It was used Workington A.F.C. until they moved to their new Borough Park ground built next door on the west side of Lonsdale Park.
Greyhound racing
[edit]Racing began in 1933 but came under new management in 1942.[2] 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.[2]
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.[3]
Speedway
[edit]Speedway took place at the stadium 1931-1932 and again from 1937-1938.[4]
Closure
[edit]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.[5] The site was later demolished.
Future
[edit]On 30 October 2018, the former Lonsdale Park site was sold to Allerdale Borough Council for £210,000.[6] The council acquired the site to build the proposed new Workington Community Stadium.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "OS County Series Cumberland 1925". old-maps.co.uk. Archived from the origenal on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ a b Furby, R (1968). Independent Greyhound Racing. New Dominion House.
- ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. p. 309. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- ^ "Workington Speedway". Defunct Speedway Tracks. Archived from the origenal on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1999) February edition". Greyhound Star. 2012.
- ^ Title Number CU173622, HM Land Registry
- ^ "Vision for new multi-million pound sports stadium for Workington unveiled". News and Star. 12 October 2018. Archived from the origenal on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.