Wrexham's 'Millennium Stadium of the North' planned

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

15 April 2008

A MEETING is taking place in Cardiff tomorrow to discuss the future of The Racecourse ground in Wrexham.

The Evening Leader can exclusively reveal that Wrexham AM, Lesley Griffiths, as well as officers from Wrexham Council will meet with Heritage Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas to discuss the plans.

The news comes as the football club looks in danger of dropping out of the football league following their crushing 3-0 defeat at Shrewsbury on Sunday.

According to Wrexham AM, Lesley Griffiths, the meeting has been arranged to help secure the future of the ground in light of the current situation on the pitch.

Council Leader Aled Roberts has also said that he wants to see the council working alongside the club and taking a bigger role in the redevelopment of the ground to provide a 15,000 seater stadium.

Commenting ahead of tomorrow's meeting, Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths said: "I have arranged a meeting this coming Wednesday in Cardiff between the Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, officers from Wrexham County Borough Council and myself.

"This is our second such meeting to discuss development plans for the future of The Racecourse ground.

"Given the perilous position of Wrexham Football Club's league status, the council, the Minister and I are anxious to keep talking about the ground's future. It is essential to ensure that whatever happens on the football field, The Racecourse remains North Wales' premier sports stadium.

"Everyone concerned wants to see The Racecourse have a viable future and Wednesday's meeting will hopefully explore ways of how that can be achieved."

Council Leader, Aled Roberts, said that everything must be done to ensure The Racecourse continues to be developed as the "Millennium Stadium of the North" – even if Wrexham FC are relegated.

Aled Roberts says he wants discussions to take place with a view to increasing the council's role in the redevelopment of the stadium – working alongside rather than just supporting the club.

Wrexham supporter Cllr Roberts went on to emphasise that plans will remain unchanged if the Reds are relegated from the football league in the coming weeks, with the heritage minister due to meet representatives on Wednesday as part of ongoing talks regarding the redevelopment of the ground.

"In reality what we have always been talking about is a regional stadium – we've never been discussing the survival of Wrexham FC," said Cllr Roberts.

"We still have to ensure The Racecourse is developed to provide a 15,000 stadium. That's important for the whole region because without the capacity we are not going to get matches."

Club co-owner Nev Dickens said plans would remain unchanged whether Wrexham were relegated or not.

He said: "Obviously we are still pushing ahead with the redevelopment plans. We're still waiting - the development has been dragging its heels but we're getting quite close now."

Heritage minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas met with Wrexham Football Club's chairman and chief executive and a senior delegation from Wrexham Council in January to hear their concept for the redevelopment of the stadium.

Outline planing permission for the development of land next to the ground, including the demolition of Dave Bennett's garage and the creation of a new stand and student flats, was given long ago.

The meeting took place in a bid to secure Assembly funding for the revamp which would see the 'kop' end of the Mold Road stadium redeveloped to make the ground into a 15,000-capacity international arena, suitable for holding major sporting and cultural events for the whole region.

"There are ongoing discussions and there is another meeting on Wednesday – once local elections are out of the way there will be a need to continue with these talks," said Cllr Roberts.

"There needs to be a regional strategy with the Welsh FA and the Welsh RFU. What we are doing is dealing with the needs of Wrexham with a stadium that would be occupied by Wrexham FC.

"So far the club have been the main runners with the council in the supporting role. What we need to discuss now is whether there needs to be a concerted effort as to whether the club and the council can work alongside each other."

He added: "Planning matters I can't comment on but the council will probably look to take a major role with other bodies to make sure Wrexham has a top class sports stadium for North Wales."

Cllr Roberts admitted bids had been submitted by the club and council to provide schemes for disaffected youths to use the stadium as a centre for learning.