Stadium reopens after major refit

The floods delayed the planned Easter completion date

Footballers are due to be the first to try out the facilities at a stadium which has undergone a multi-million pound revamp.

The £3.6m Sheepmount redevelopment in Carlisle has included an upgrade of the running track, work to improve football pitches and new changing facilities.

Work was delayed by the floods which swept through the city in January but it is opening its doors on Saturday.

The stadium is due to be officially opened later in the year.

Carlisle City Council portfolio holder for community activities, councillor Ray Knapton, said: "The January floods delayed the planned Easter completion of the multi-million pound Sheepmount redevelopment, but we are now able to open the doors to our new state of the art facilities.

'Stimulate sport'

"The project involves the complete redevelopment of the Sheepmount to create the region's primary athletics and county football centre.

"In the long term the new facilities are set to give a huge boost to sporting opportunities in the area."

The city council earmarked £1.5m for the project after more than £2m of external funding was secured from Sport England and the Football Foundation.

Football Foundation external relations director Alastair Bennett said: "The excellent project underlines the Foundation's commitment to providing a new generation of modern and safe facilities to stimulate sport within our communities."

Some minor work is still to be completed and when they have been, the athletics areas will be inspected by UK Athletics for a certificate so they can be used for national athletics meets.