Does Kop demolition plan reveal Wrexham’s new massive floodlights?

Documents showing the plans for the demolition of the Kop stand at the Racecourse have been published, with some details hinting at possible new floodlighting.

Wrexham’s current lights are famed worldwide for their stature and have iconic status, however with the modernisation of the stadium it appears they will be replaced. One of the several plans submitted as part of the Kop demolition application contains the square locations of the floodlight base, however shows what looks like a diamond ‘arm’ style floodlight in place – pictured above and below.

The new floodlight on an arm, with the square footing of the old lights still visible.

Yesterday we reported how the club said the application is the first of three that will be made in respect of the Kop development in June, and was “…needed to be made before the full application, so as to ensure that the timeline for the desired completion of the stand for the start of the 2024/25 season remains achievable.”

More detail is in the documents lodged with the local authority, with demolition expected to take 10-14 weeks and start “Q1-Q2 2022”.

The very detailed application overview explains that demolition works will be carried out working from North to South, “Demolition will begin with the gable end on the northern façade and progress bay by bay working south of both bays of the building working south” and once the structure has been demolished the concrete terrace will be “grubbed up and the highlighted area will be dug down to formation level”.

As we have reported several times before the project appears to be on a very tight timescale, which would also fit any deliverability criteria for a UK Government “Levelling Up” funding award.

The documents note, “Once the demolition has progress 50% of the way through the structure then additional plant will be utilised to begin lifting the slabs and foundations with a view to early hand over of the northern section of the site, while works are progressing and completing on the south”.

The Kop itself will be knocked down along with the small cabin to the rear and associated structures and trees also removed.

The existing floodlights will be retained for use, along with the pitch irrigation water tank.

The large project will have a local impact and the hours of work are stated as Monday to Friday 08:00am – 06:00pm Saturday 08:00am – 13:00pm.

The surrounding roads and footpaths will be “regularly inspected” and, when required, cleaned by a road sweeper. Roads and footpaths will remain open and unobstructed at all times.

From a footballing perspective it is noted, “The Works will be fully coordinated with Wrexham Football Club (WAFC) and their football fixture list, to avoid the demolition operations having any adverse impact on crowd movement during home games” with it added, “The site will be secured and fully inspected well in advance of any home games”.

The surrounding roads and footpaths will be regularly inspected and, when required, cleaned by a road sweeper. Roads and footpaths will remain open and unobstructed at all times.

Giving a sense of scale for the project the report to the council states, “It is anticipated that there will be approximately 900-1000 No vehicular movements of spoil to re- move from site. The spoil being removed to a licensed waste transfer station.”

Scrap steel work from the stand will be taken to either EMR or Norton’s in Liverpool for recycling.