Rugby league ground upgrade plans submitted

Plans to redevelop Cougar Park have been put forward to Bradford Council

Rugby league side Keighley Cougars has announced plans to redevelop its home ground.

The Cougars' charity arm has submitted an application to Bradford Council to revamp the 500-seater Danny Jones Stand at the Cougar Park ground, the local authority said.

Permission has also been sought to build a two-storey extension, which would include new changing rooms, a heritage room for memorabilia and community facilities.

The third-tier club said the proposals would bring its facilities "up to date".

'Modern, comfortable facilities'

The plans would be part-financed by £2.25m from the government-backed Keighley Towns Fund.

Steve Watkinson, the Cougars' chief operating officer, said: "We’ve explored various options in terms of potential redevelopment, and we are all very excited to have finalised these plans.

"They are the right balance of respecting where we’ve come from, while making a significant investment in the club’s long-term future and continued success."

Senior Bradford councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said the news was a "significant" moment for the club.

Mr Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, added: "We are pleased to be able to support the redevelopment at Cougar Park because it’s so important for the Cougars to have modern, comfortable facilities going forward.

"These plans will bring benefits not only to the team but also to the wider community.”

The Danny Jones Stand, which will keep its title following the revamp, was named after the Cougars' scrum-half who died following a cardiac arrest on the pitch during a game for the club in 2015.

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