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STōK Racecourse Upgrade Latest

by Adam Howarth, Editor
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Wrexham STōK Racecourse Upgrade - image courtesy of Wrexham AFC

The latest plans for the STōK Racecourse upgrade project are in full swing with the 5,500-seater Kop-end stand scheduled for completion by 2026.

Populous

The stand, designed by renowned architecture firm Populous — the same group behind Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium — will feature safe-standing sections and hospitality suites. Populous and the club say the design will amplify crowd noise onto the pitch. It will also house upgraded player and official facilities, including a tunnel allowing players to walk out directly from under the Kop stand.

The design draws inspiration from Wrexham’s signature Ruabon red brick architecture and includes two striking Welsh dragons in the upper corners. However, not everyone is completely happy — some fans have submitted petitions requesting a tweak to part of the design due to its resemblance to the England flag.

Mock-up of STōK Racecourse Kop Stand Facade – image courtesy of Populous
Mock-up of STōK Racecourse Kop Stand Facade – image courtesy of Populous

Declan Sharkey, Global Director and Senior Principal at Populous, said, “We have designed the new Kop Stand to be authentic and unique in its approach to hosting Wrexham’s passionate fans. To do that, we involved our team of audio consultants to maximise atmosphere, while the physical design of the façade at the back of the stand takes inspiration from the local brickwork and the city’s “Terracottapolis” nickname to link it to the generations of fans that have visited the ground in the past.”

Championship!

Meanwhile, a £1 million pitch redevelopment is also underway at the STōK Cae Ras as the club prepares for its first Championship season in over four decades. Work has already begun on removing the previous surface – including the pitch, irrigation system and topsoil – making way for a new stitch pitch as used at the Giuseppe Meazza/San Siro, featuring undersoil heating and upgraded drainage.

The overhaul, reportedly costing around £1 million, involves installing a new gravel base, pipework, tanks, pumps, and other infrastructure. Once the gravel layer is in place, contractors will add a lower and upper “rootzone” before seeding and stitching the surface later this summer.

Wrexham STōK Racecourse Upgrade - image courtesy of Wrexham AFC
Image courtesy of Wrexham AFC

UEFA U19 Fixtures

Wrexham say the project will create “a state-of-the-art, UEFA-compliant facility for the first team home matches.” The improved surface and supporting infrastructure will allow the stadium to host a wider variety of events, including UEFA U19 fixtures next summer, as well as rugby and other sports matches. LED advertising boards will stand in front of three of the four stands, and new drainage systems will be set into the surrounding pitch area.

A band of synthetic turf will also edge the main playing surface. In the process, the entire pitch will shift towards the adjoining university site by two metres – a subtle adjustment, but one that makes room for the revamped facilities behind the goal.

Wrexham STōK Racecourse Upgrade - image courtesy of Wrexham AFC
Wrexham STōK Racecourse Upgrade – image courtesy of Wrexham AFC

Celebrity Investment?

No story about Wrexham AFC these days would be complete without some mention of the latest celebrity rumour surrounding the club. The Daily Mirror recently ran a story indicating that Sirs Elton John and Kenneth Branagh had taken an interest in investing in The Town.

Speaking on the RobRyanRed fan podcast, Reynolds said, “The biggest surprise phone call I ever got was from Elton John after the Ben Foster save against Notts County.” He also told a story about how Branagh cornered him at an awards show and walked him through the table, where the team stood and what its chances were. It’s amazing to hear who’s into it,” Reynolds added.

Wrexham STōK Racecourse Upgrade - image courtesy of Wrexham AFCv
Wrexham STōK Racecourse Upgrade – image courtesy of Wrexham AFC

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