Crewe’s Cumberland Arena secures £500k for major track restoration

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-06 14:01 3 min read

An empty running track at dawn with a tall fence in the background.

A significant £500,000 investment has been greenlit to overhaul the athletics track at Crewe’s Cumberland Arena, ensuring the site remains a viable venue for regional competitions and community sport. The funding, sourced from the government’s Local Regeneration Fund, addresses long-standing maintenance needs for a facility that has served local athletes for decades.

Protecting regional competition standards

For the Crewe and Nantwich Athletic Club, the investment is a critical safeguard. The current track, which has not been resurfaced in nearly 25 years, was approaching a point where it would no longer meet the certification standards required to host official competitions. Without these works, the arena would have been forced to cease hosting events as early as next year.

Local athletes have maintained a high level of performance, securing over 70 medals at recent County Championships and achieving national representation. By modernising the surface, officials aim to preserve these opportunities for the next generation of runners, jumpers, and throwers. Clair, chair of the Crewe and Nantwich Athletic Club, noted that the investment protects a community built on volunteering and participation, rather than just the physical infrastructure.

Crewe’s Cumberland Arena secures £500k for major track restoration

Modernisation and community access

The track upgrade is part of a broader development programme at the site. Managed by Everybody Health & Leisure in partnership with Cheshire East Council, the arena is undergoing a comprehensive modernisation project. This wider scheme includes the installation of a new artificial 3G pitch, the creation of three multi-purpose studio spaces for fitness and wellbeing programmes, a new covered spectator stand, and improved parking and cycle storage.

These facilities are designed to support a seven-day-a-week operation, catering to schools, local running clubs, and community groups. The inclusion of inclusive cycling initiatives is also a key feature of the updated site, aiming to expand access to sport for residents of all ages and abilities. Thomas Barton, CEO of Everybody Health & Leisure, stated that the additional funding allows the charity to bring the track in line with the high standards of the other new amenities.

Project timeline and delivery

While the wider facility improvements are scheduled for completion this autumn, the specific work to resurface the athletics track is slated to begin in early spring 2025. The funding for this project was reallocated from the Valley Brook Corridor scheme, following local feedback that reduced the budgetary requirements for that specific development. This shift allows the arena to be brought up to a consistent standard, ensuring the venue remains a central hub for health and fitness in South Cheshire.

Key project details

Feature	Status / Timeline
Wider facility upgrades	Completion expected Autumn 2024
Athletics track resurfacing	Work begins early Spring 2025
Primary funding source	Government Local Regeneration Fund
Operational management	Everybody Health & Leisure / Cheshire East Council