Wrexham give a much needed update to their fans on their new stand as part of their ambitious stadium expansion.
The latest sees an end of the soil stabilisation phase and the final step before the piling rigs arrive on site.
After weeks of heavy machinery, lime and cement mixing, and endless grading, the ground beneath the new Kop Stand is finally ready.
Engineers have been carrying out the final Kentledge load tests to confirm the strength of the stabilised soil, and once those results are in — it’s all systems go for piling machines to arrive on Tuesday.
McLaren Construction has excavated one metre of earth for a piling mat, removed a live power cable (via new substation), relocated site gates, and installed hoarding along Crispin Lane.
Wrexham has purchased land from Wrexham University; Welsh Government deal near completion. This secures the full footprint for the new Kop. Grant Funding Agreement with Wrexham Council has been finalised.
Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) lease surrender process now starting (pre-approved in principle with protections for first-team use).
The new stand is approved for 5,500 seats initially (due to policy), with application pending for full 7,500, with the total stadium capacity to exceed 18,000 once it gets the green light.
Project supports international matches (secured via FA Wales partnership) and boosts North Wales as a sporting destination.
CLUB STATEMENT:
At the end of September, Wrexham AFC fans will have seen construction vehicles back on the site of the new Kop Stand at the STōK Cae Ras. McLaren Construction have commenced enabling works, to prepare the site in readiness for the start of the main contract works.
Preparing the new Kop site
Prior to the end of the last season part of the temporary stand was removed, providing accessibility for the pitch contractor to get on to and install our new pitch ahead of the new season. During that time, the land at the Kop end was used to store the pitch materials and once the new pitch was installed, we removed the remainder of the temporary stand.
The live power cable that ran across the Kop site has now been removed, following the completion of a new substation to power the student accommodation. This work commenced in April and was completed in late August.
Clearing the site, including the power cable, has meant that the enabling works could commence. The main element of the enabling works that are ongoing is the excavation of approximately one metre of earth to create a flat area ready for the construction of a piling mat. This is the platform upon which the piling rig will sit, to pile into the ground for the new Kop Stand foundations. Other works have included moving the site entrance gates to enable safe traffic flow and deliveries by large vehicles and the installation of a new hoarding along Crispin Lane.
Purchase of land and collapse of lease agreement
Meanwhile the Club has been progressing the purchase of land between the Club’s freehold to the back of the old Kop Stand and Crispin Lane. Since the end of last season, the Club has negotiated and completed the purchase of land from Wrexham University and discussions are at an advanced stage to purchase required land from the Welsh Government. Both these plots of land are required to create the footprint needed for the new Kop development.
The Club and Wrexham County Borough Council have been working in partnership and together have finalised the Grant Funding Agreement. This grant has already funded many of the stadium improvements needed to enable international and high-quality matches to be hosted at the STōK Cae Ras. The balance of the Grant Funding will now be used towards financing the cost of related elements of the new Kop Stand.
Completion of the Grant Funding Agreement and the progress with securing the required land for the Kop, has led the Club to ask the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) to commence the process of finalising the surrender of their lease of the STōK Cae Ras. The members of the WST have already agreed to the surrender in principle, subject to the maintenance of specific protections to ensure that the STōK Cae Ras remains the home of the men’s first team. The Club would like to thank the members of the WST for their patience while these other matters were finalised.
Meanwhile the construction of the new Kop Stand will only enhance the ground’s ability to attract top class international sporting events to North Wales and provide an increased capacity for our home games. Collaboration between the FA of Wales, the Wrexham Gateway Partnership, Wrexham Council and the club has secured a commitment to host international football games at the STōK Cae Ras for the foreseeable future.
Planning permission to use the additional 2,000 seats
While the new Kop development has planning permission for construction, due to national planning policy issues we will be only able to use 5,500 seats until such time as Wrexham County Borough Council are able to approve the planning application to increase the occupancy up to 7,500. Once obtained, the overall capacity of the STōK Cae Ras will increase to more than 18,000.
The Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to all the bodies involved in the process to date including the Wrexham Gateway Partnership, Wrexham University, the Welsh Government, Wrexham Supporters Trust, the FA of Wales and Wrexham County Borough Council.
