Inside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ambitious Wrexham stadium expansion plans
Wrexham has constantly filled the Racecourse Ground following the takeover, but work to redevelop the stadium and build a new stand has faced a number of setbacks
Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have grand visions for the club’s stadium. The Red Dragons have seen significant growth since the Hollywood pair took over in February 2021.
The global attention brought by the takeover, coupled with the popularity of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, means home games at the Racecourse Ground are often sold out. As a result, the redevelopment of the stadium is a top priority for Reynolds and McElhenney.
There has been considerable progress in increasing the ground’s capacity in recent years, but there have also been challenges and delays. Here, The Mirror provides an update on the current state of the plans, including capacity, costs, and main issues.
What’s the backstory to the stadium plans?
A new 5,500-capacity stand at the Kop end of the stadium has been proposed since before the new owners arrived. The original stand was closed in 2008 due to safety concerns, leaving Wrexham with a three-sided ground and a significant obstacle to accommodating more fans, reports Wales Online.
The plan to replace it was first announced in 2019 as part of the Wrexham Gateway project to revamp the Mold Road corridor into the city. The plans gained momentum once Reynolds and McElhenney took over, with the first design images of the new stand shared in June 2022.
The plans faced a major setback the same month as the demolition when the UK Government turned down a bid for up to £20 million ($25.8 million) to finance the scheme for the second time, raising fears it might completely derail the project. However, the council later announced it would redirect over £17 million ($22 million) of Welsh Government funds to support the proposals.
The club is also expected to chip in significantly for the development. With the finances secured, new floodlights were set up in summer 2023, with anticipation for work on the stand to begin soon.
The goal was to have the new Kop ready for the 2024/25 season’s kickoff, with an estimated construction period of 12 months. Yet, the summer ended with no further advancements, and in September 2023, Wrexham disclosed that the project had been paused due to several factors.
Key issues included meeting Uefa standards, rerouting a sewer, and eliminating an electricity cable from the site. Additionally, a lease held by the previous owners, the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust, needed to be relinquished.
