Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney revitalize historic Wrexham stadium

Wrexham, Wales, saw a significant shift in its football culture when actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds purchased Wrexham AFC in 2021. Their commitment to modernizing the Racecourse Ground, the oldest international football stadium still in use, became a priority as they aimed to restore the beloved venue and enhance its facilities. The stadium had fallen into disrepair, and with the celebrity owners actively documenting their renovation efforts through an FX docuseries, the focus on the community and the club’s heritage amplified. The ambitious modernization project integrated cutting-edge technologies like geographic information systems (GIS) and building information modeling (BIM) to facilitate a more efficient design and construction process. By harnessing these tools, the project team could create dynamic visualizations that offered insights into how the planned renovations would interact with the surrounding infrastructure. This approach aimed to avert potential design missteps that could hinder community support, which was deemed vital for the project’s overall success. Planning involved a detailed mapping of the site along with existing utilities and terrain features, enabling the designers and construction teams to anticipate challenges before they arose. Notably, the new Kop stand was designed to accommodate 5,500 spectators, further connecting the club to its local roots while preparing for growth in attendance and fan engagement. The revitalization transcended the stadium itself, contributing to Wrexham AFC’s climb within the English football league system from the fifth tier to the EFL Championship. The documentary series titled “Welcome to Wrexham” has depicted this transformation, generating international interest and helping to recruit fans worldwide. As the club continues to flourish, the combination of technology with respect for the club’s past provides a blueprint for future success.