A NEW 3G pitch is planned at Victoria Park as part of Warrington’s hosting of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

The showpiece tournament will see three men’s games played at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with the entirety of the Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup also set to take place in the town.

Grants are available to community groups as part of the RLWC 2021’s legacy fund, and Warrington Borough Council is hoping to use part of this £5million pot in order to create a new floodlit, fenced-off artificial grass rugby pitch at Victoria Park.

WBC has lodged an application for planning permission for this development, which would be located immediately to the east of the current Asics Stadium on the site of an existing grass pitch.

Planning application documents stated: “This proposal offers an ideal opportunity to introduce a state-of-the-art artificial grass pitch for club players, young aspiring and senior sports people – to be enjoyed by local community sports clubs and groups visiting Victoria Park.

“The plan is for Warrington Borough Council to increase grassroots sport development and to encourage whole-life sport by enhancing pathways through an enhanced offer, and via pre-arranged and structured community access – which continues the council’s long history of providing sporting opportunities for the community.

“This proposal has been strategically identified for RLWC 2021 legacy funding to be invested into a new 3G rugby pitch at Victoria Park, creating a new community centre of excellence for rugby league within our central six ward area.

“This project will deliver genuine benefits in terms of sports engagement and as such, the proposed sports facility will serve to further enhance the excellent sporting offer that Warrington Borough Council provides to the local community.”

Warrington will also act as a training base for one of the participating teams during the tournament in two years’ time.

A consultation on the plans runs until Wednesday, December 18.