Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been forced to fund urgent and costly repairs to a stadium recently purchased to become the permanent home of Wrexham AFC Women.
Major Issues Discovered After Purchase
The club acquired The Rock stadium in Rhosymedre near Wrexham back in August, hailing the move as a significant milestone for the women's team. However, shortly after the purchase was finalised, significant problems were uncovered that required immediate attention.
Inspections revealed major issues with the electrical system, the playing surface, and the floodlighting. The problems were so substantial that the venue could not be used for matches, forcing Wrexham Women to play their Genero Adran Premier fixtures at alternative locations throughout the current campaign.
Extensive Renovation Work Underway
In a club statement, Wrexham detailed the comprehensive work undertaken since August to bring the facility up to the required Football Association of Wales specifications. The scope of the project has been extensive.
Work completed includes repairs to the outer fencing, reinstalling the electrical power, and upgrading the floodlights. The club also addressed long-term infrastructure issues. A particularly challenging problem was the state of the pitch, specifically in high-impact areas like the goalmouths, which had deteriorated over previous seasons.
Renovating these areas caused additional delays due to the difficulty of sourcing a matching surface to blend with the existing turf. The club has now achieved the necessary pitch certification.
Targeting a Swift Return to The Rock
Further improvements have been made to the emergency lighting, and minor renovations were carried out on the stand. Internal rooms have been cleared to allow for the next phase of the project. Most recently, wi-fi and a new telephone line have been installed.
The club acknowledged that the return was hoped for sooner but emphasised that all work was done to a high standard as part of their long-term commitment to The Rock. A final inspection of the upgraded floodlights is scheduled for the end of the week.
There is now hope that Jenny Sugarman's team could return to their home ground for the upcoming league fixture against Swansea. The 3,000-capacity stadium, which also houses Cefn Druids, is intended to be the permanent base for the women's team, who are currently second in the Adran Premier.
The club expressed gratitude to supporters for their patience during the restoration process, marking a significant step in securing a top-tier facility for women's football in North Wales.
