Wigan's bid for 'world class' national rugby league museum

Wigan will this week launch a bid to home the national rugby league museum.
Wigan Warriors' Robin Park HQWigan Warriors' Robin Park HQ
Wigan Warriors' Robin Park HQ

Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan will outline his vision for hosting a “world class” attraction at their Robin Park base.

The bid, launched by the club and Wigan Council, will be presented to an independent panel which will decide the location for the museum.

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Lenagan said: “Wigan is the best known name in rugby league worldwide and it’s right that the museum should be here.”

Wigan submitted an offer to host the museum four years ago, only for it to be granted to Bradford.

But lengthy delays and failed funding bids forced that plan to be abandoned and the charity behind the museum, Rugby League Cares, revealed it was looking for a new location for the attraction.

Cities and towns had until last Friday to lodge an interest. Other bids have not been made public, but Kirklees Council confirmed it wanted to host the museum in Huddersfield’s George Hotel, the birthplace of rugby league in 1985.

Wigan, though, believe they have an attractive bid.

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They want to create a flagship facility that would attract fans, tourists, community clubs and schools. And to help appeal to a new, younger fanbase, they plan interactive experiences detailing the sport’s origins and history.

They believe the timing is ideal as it follows several months of investment and re-development of the Robin Park Arena which saw the Warriors relocate to the site.

Parking spaces, footfall from the nearby retail park and the opportunity to appeal to supporters on match day also work in their favour – as well as its relative closeness to the town’s train stations, and motorway access.

But it is Wigan’s strong heritage and long-standing desire to deliver an outstanding rugby league museum which underpins their bid.

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The Warriors are also looking for people and companies interested in being involved in the project to contact them, via Geoff Warburton.

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