An update has been given by executive director Humphrey Ker about Wrexham AFC’s intentions to construct a new training facility and 5,500-seat stand.
When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the team in February 2021, they made a number of important pledges.
They promised to look at renovating the Racecourse Ground and to make an investment in a long-term training centre. Following the reallocation of a portion of a £25 million Welsh Government grant by Wrexham Council, construction of a new stand at the stadium’s Kop end was scheduled to begin last summer.
There have been some delays in the development, meanwhile, as there are requirements to remove a power cable that crosses the property and divert a sewage.
Director Ker of Wrexham has now given an update on when work on the new Kop is anticipated to start.
Wrexham director reveals latest Kop development timeline
In an interview with the Fearless in Devotion podcast, he stated: “We’ve completed a great deal of the tasks that still need to be done. A large portion of it is being covered by the council, but we still need to find another large portion, so we are preparing to look for outside funding.
That was something that needed to be cleared through a number of obstacles before it could begin in earnest.
“Getting started at the conclusion of the season is still our goal. The goal hasn’t quite been achieved, but we still have a ways to go before reaching that point.
While the plans for a permanent stand were put on hold, Wrexham had revealed intentions to build a 2,289-capacity temporary structure in the interim back in December.
Within a few weeks, the stand was installed and ready for use for Wrexham’s game against Newport County right before Christmas.
Ker has previously disclosed that the Hollywood owners were expected to lose “a tonne of money” because to the temporary stand’s operating losses.
To help satisfy the high demand for tickets to the team’s home games, he did, however, inform The Athletic that they were happy to pay the entire cost.
Since it was revealed last week that McElhenney’s Four Walls Whisky company was sponsoring the temporary stand, Ker has now stated that the financial situation has improved.
“It pays for itself more the longer it’s up for,” he stated. As you can see, it’s now sponsored, which is something else that has contributed to it.
“Without the sponsorship, there are running expenses, staffing requirements, and an initial base cost.
“A significant sum of money from the Four Walls sponsorship has now turned it over into a profitable venture.
“We want to continue building, so we don’t want it open next season, but if it does open, god forbid, we will make money there.”
‘Big discussion’ on new training ground plans
Ker revealed that negotiations are taking place this week to forward the ideas for the new training facility.
“We’re still looking for suitable spaces,” he stated. Recently, this has been a hot issue of discussion for us both at the board level and around the building.
“This week is the deadline for a significant discussion regarding the candidates we’ve gathered for the four different sites.”
All things considered, it appears that supporters of Wrexham will still need to wait a little while before seeing a new, permanent Kop Stand.
The club had previously stated that once work started, the stand would be built in about a year.
Nonetheless, it is difficult to question the Hollywood owners’ long-term commitment given that preparations for a new training facility are also proceeding quickly.
