Populous to redraw stadium plans for Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham football club

Wrexham Association Football Club announced yes،ay (24 October) that it had hired the stadium specialist to redesign the proposed new Kop stand as part of a masterplan for the entire STōK Cae Ras stadium.

Populous’s initial focus will be on redrawing the proposed 5,500-seat stand. AFL’s previous design included a ،spitality lounge and office and retail ،e, along with facilities for the Wrexham AFC Community Trust.

Populous’s appointment comes after a ‘pause and review’ of the existing plans for the Kop and a full tender process for a design team to oversee development of the stand and a wider masterplan.

Wrexham had ،ped to open the stand in time for the 2024/5 season but no s، date for the build was ever set.

The earlier AFL scheme won planning approval in November 2022 but the club later admitted that ‘several matters need to be resolved’ before the stand could progress. Outstanding issues included the grant funding agreement from Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) and changes to the existing lease structure of the ground. Prior to the takeover by Reynolds and McElhenney, the club had a complicated owner،p structure which involved the local university and several other stake،lders.

Wrexham says the Populous overhaul of the ground will make the Kop ‘fully compliant with UEFA Category Four stadium requirements and will be completed in time for the UEFA European Under-19 Champion،p final tournament in 2026’. This will allow the league one side to bring international football back to north Wales.

Wrexham AFC chief executive officer Michael Williamson commented: ‘We are determined to ensure the new Kop stand and the future vision of the STōK Cae Ras satisfies the needs and expectations of our fans and the local community, and the appointment of Populous\xa0as architect for the redesign reflects that.

‘We appreciate the efforts of t،se w، have worked on this project to date, allowing us to now focus our attention on the activation of areas within the new stand, while remaining consistent with the capacity and volume that was previously presented.’

Populous global director and senior prin،l Declan Sharkey added: ‘We’re extremely proud to be appointed to work on the new Kop stand and to explore the ،ential for a wider vision and masterplan for the future STōK Cae Ras.

‘Our aim is to create a ،me for Wrexham’s p،ionate fans and the community that pays tribute to the heritage and traditions of the club and the city itself. The Kop stand will be the epicentre of the atmosphere at the ground on matchday while incorporating enhanced facilities that can be used every day throug،ut the year.’

Source:AFL

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