Durham announce exciting plans for new state-of-the-art facility for elite women’s sport | OneFootball

Durham Women have announced the news that they are working with Durham Cricket to pursue a new state-of-the-art facility for elite women’s sport.

WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Wildcats this afternoon.

It has been reported that the two clubs hope to create a women’s football high performance centre which would include the UK’s first new stadium designed around the needs of the female athlete and fan. There are wider ambitions from both clubs to create a women’s sports hub at the Chester-le-Street Riverside Complex.

The proposed facility would become the new base of Durham Women FC and would include facilities for day-to-day training, a performance centre and administration offices. These facilities would also be available for community use by male and female grassroots sport. The development would then link with Durham Cricket as a shared facility. The proposal also includes a 150-room hotel.

Speaking following this afternoon’s announcement, Lee Sanders, Director of Durham Women FC, said “This is a fantastic prospect to create a women’s sports hub for Chester-le-Street and the wider region.

“Proposals for the site would allow for a new state-of-the-art facility specifically for women’s football and wider women’s sport, making it the first of its kind in the UK.

“The different options for the site will allow the complex to be multi-purpose, supporting Durham Women’s FC but also local girls and boys football clubs, athletics clubs, international cricket, as well as recreational space for the public and additional parking.

“Between all stakeholders, this will be a high-capital project including private and commercial investment. This will in turn create jobs in construction, leisure and hospitality benefitting the people of Chester-le-Street and the wider area.”

It should be noted that plans are very much in the early stages and are subject to further development.