Darlington Mowden Park RFC are today pleased to announce that the Tees Valley Combined Authority has granted an initial £450,000 toward the multi-million pound Darlington Sports Village development.

Half a million pounds in total has been agreed to allow the project to further progress through detailed next stage work, with the Combined Authority providing £449,950 and Darlington Council an additional £50,000.

After successfully conducting initial feasibility studies and receiving a high level of partner interest, the Club and Council sought support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority to further develop the detailed business case including a full suite of site investigations, with intention to deliver the Darlington Sports Village by 2020.

Darlington Mowden Park RFC working in conjunction with Darlington Borough Council have progressed a mixed use development concept that would facilitate an exciting array of new leisure, commercial and sporting elements on land adjacent to the Arena.

The announcement marks the latest step in the Club’s remarkable journey since acquiring the Darlington Arena in 2012 and setting about its transformation.

The development has also been identified with integration to wider plans that include attraction of further high profile international sport and major music artists to the region. It follows the recent announcement that the Arena is a key part of Tees Valley’s bid to host fixtures for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.

Lee Rust, Managing Director of Darlington Mowden Park said: ‘’A huge amount of work has already gone into the Arena’s transition as a venue and the Darlington Sports Village development. We’ve seen some fantastic progress in recent years including international sport, concerts, major events and both community and business use.’’

‘‘There is an opportunity to build on progress made and to create something of real significance that will benefit the town and region on multiple levels’’.

‘’We’re delighted to receive formal support from both Tees Valley Combined Authority and Darlington Borough Council and we’re excited to be taking the next steps which will include confirmation of leisure and sporting partners.

‘’A number of people and organisations have supported the Club through the initial development processes but we must specifically mention Paul Mackings and his team with our thanks, who has been instrumental.’’

Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This Sports Village could be transformational for Darlington and the wider area, creating state-of-the-art sports facilities and jobs for local people. This could help the Tees Valley to continue to attract major events and high profile sportsmen and women just a few years after the New Zealand All Blacks trained at the Arena during the Rugby Union World Cup in 2015.

“We’re now bidding to bring Rugby League World Cup teams to the Tees Valley at both the Arena and Middlesbrough’s Riverside stadium to play matches and to host training sessions. We hope this will inspire more local people to take up sports and attract more visitors to the area.”

Cllr Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: ‘’This funding will enable us to seriously scope out what the Sport Village can be, moving from concept to full feasibility business case. This is an exciting development and would be an excellent addition enhancing the Tees Valley’s sporting offer.’’