Wrexham, the Red Dragons, have announced the commencement of a significant upgrade to their SToK Cae Ras stadium. This comes as part of their preparations for their first Championship campaign in 43 years, following a historic third-straight promotion.
Since the end of the League One season where Wrexham finished second, work has begun on transforming the pitch at SToK Cae Ras. The entire surface has been cleared out - including the pitch itself, irrigation system and soil - paving way for a brand-new stitch pitch installation.
The new pitch will feature undersoil heating and new drainage systems. The ongoing work on this state-of-the-art surface is reported to cost around £1 million. Key elements include installation of new irrigation pumps, tanks and pipework, addition of a gravel layer, laying lower and upper rootzones. Once completed, it will be a UEFA-compliant facility capable of hosting first-team home matches.
Beyond football
The upgraded stadium won't just cater to football games; it will also host rugby matches along with other sports events. Additional enhancements include installing new drains around the pitch and outlining synthetic turf on the main surface. New LED boards are set to be installed in front of three out of four stands at SToK Cae Ras stadium.
Interestingly enough, compared to last season's layout in League One, these changes will shift towards Kop by two metres. While not scheduled for completion until 2026, plans are already underway for upgrading Kop stand as well. It includes constructing a new 5,500 seater stand featuring safe-standing areas and hospitality suites designed by leading architects Populous – known best for their work on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The design aims to amplify the noise of supporters onto the pitch and will include facilities for officials and players. It also pays homage to Wrexham's red brick architecture, with two Welsh dragons in each top corner. However, some fan petitions have been raised due to its similarity with the England flag.
Hollywood influence
Wrexham's journey towards a second-tier campaign after over four decades has been significantly influenced by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Under their ownership since 2021, Manager Phil Parkinson has led the club to historic back-to-back promotions.
Their investment of £14.3 million in March 2021 has given Wrexham an even bigger boost heading into this summer, although it remains unconfirmed whether these funds are being used for any of the upcoming stadium upgrades.
These exciting developments at Wrexham signal a new era for both sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike as they anticipate what promises to be an exhilarating Championship campaign.
