Hollywood star Ryan Reynods has won his planning battle to build a huge new redbrick stand for his Wrexham football team after critics compared it to a ‘prison’.
Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney unveiled their new stand shaped like a row of brick walls in February after ditching their previous plans.
The revised designs for the new 5,500-capacity Kop Stand were presented to planners in their latest battle to increase the size of the ground up to a maximum of 55,000.
Their new stand’s design would give the club the option to increase capacity at a later date, subject to a separate planning application.
Wrexham council planners have now backed the plans despite some fans blasting it as ‘ugly’ and like a row of terraced houses.
Club CEO Michael Williamson said: ‘When Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds became co-chairmen four years ago one of their core aims was to recreate a four-sided stadium.
‘An early brief for a replacement Kop stand was approved in 2022, but our amazing success on and off the pitch over the last few seasons required a review of our ambition for the ST*K Cae Ras.
‘The Racecourse Ground will be the centrepiece stadium for the Uefa Euro U19s tournament to be held across North Wales in summer 2026.
Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has won his planning battle to build four giant brick walls for a huge new stand for his Wrexham football team
A look at the revised designs for the new 5,500-capacity Kop Stand that was presented to planners
Ryan Reynolds waves to fans as he is seen arriving in Hollywood at The Paley Center
‘In anticipation this summer we will install a brand-new latest generation state-of-the-art hybrid pitch that will allow the stadium to host other major international sporting events including rugby union and rugby league.’
Wrexham say the stand’s proposed external brick facade design pays homage to the city’s ‘Terracottapolis’ nickname – based on their local history of brick-making.
It says the brick colour and textures are reminiscent of the historic Ruabon red brick from the local area and will look on to a public plaza.
It is the latest bold boost to the once-struggling club since being taken over four years ago by the American comedy pair.
Describing the new designs, one critic on social media said: ‘It is a football stadium, not a prison.’
Another added: ‘Such a hideous design. Seems to be what Populous do these day.’
A third, however, said: ‘It’s stunning and iconic. So many layers of inspiration and imagination. And it glows like there is a dragon living inside it.’
Wrexham council planners have now backed the plans despite some fans blasting it as ‘ugly’ and like a row of terraced house
Wrexham say the stand’s proposed external brick facade design pays homage to the city’s ‘Terracottapolis’ nickname
Their new stand’s design would give the club the option to increase capacity at a later date
A fourth echoed: That’s a world class design there. Love it.’
Player and officials’ facilities would be incorporated in the new Kop stand as well as provision for safe standing, hospitality and accessible seating.
The new Kop stand will have a capacity of 5,500 with the design allowing an increase in capacity in the future.
Mr Williamson said: ‘As we only get to deliver this project once a full refresh was necessary. The final designs are rooted in Wrexham’s past and present.
‘We want to create a unique and instantly recognisable Kop stand with its brick design and form that represents the city’s identity, and we believe sports and entertainment architects Populous have achieved this.
‘The new Kop stand can accommodate a greater capacity beyond the 5,500 we are seeking at present – and the future-proofing makes obvious sense even though it increases our initial costs. Any additional capacity will require a new planning application.
‘While the designs have changed our commitment to community engagement and use is resolute. The Kop stand will accommodate many events locally in the variety of spaces we are creating in the stand.
Describing the new designs, one critic on social media said: ‘It is a football stadium, not a prison’
It is the latest bold boost to the once-struggling club since being taken over four years ago by the American comedy pair
Wrexham owner Rob McElhenney and Reynolds celebrate on the pitch after the English National League football match between Wrexham and Boreham Wood
‘A new plaza will be created at the entrance to the stand and we envisage this create an active environment on non-matchdays as well as ahead of our home matches.’
The seating bowl has been designed to reinforce the atmosphere within the ST*K Cae Ras, with design of the roof optimised to amplify sound from the spectators towards the pitch.
The stand, which will also feature hospitality areas will also double as the entrance to the pitch for players and officials.
Two dragons from the club’s crest will be prominently embossed into the brick façade at one corner of the stand.
The rear will look out over a public plaza where, among other things, there will be a sister wheel to the Gresford Colliery wheel, in remembrance of the miners who perished in the 1934 mining disaster.
Brynyffynnon Cllr Phil Wynn, whose ward is next to the Racecourse, welcomed the plans but warned there would need to be further consultation around matchday traffic should the club look to expand further.
