Yellows Groundfunder: Update on new stand and other improvements

Warrington Town are crowdfunding to help cover the costs of the ground development works required following promotion to National League North. These works need to be completed by the end of March 2024.

Progress

How to donate

If you donate over £50: Entry in to draw for 2x hospitality tickets for a match

If you donate over £100: Plaque on commemorative Yellows National League fans wall on side of new turnstiles

About the Groundfunder

Warrington Town can finally provide an update on the ground development plans and the launch of the Yellows Groundfunder campaign to help support.

There have been numerous components and challenges faced when putting together plans to make the changes required to satisfy the ground grading criteria of the National League.

There are many moving parts, notably around planning permission, the nature of the works and crucially funding that will dictate timescales. We need to ensure that we have met the appropriate ground grading criteria by the end of March 2024, with further future-proofing requirements also needed to be considered.

The two biggest priorities are to increase the capacity of the ground, to a minimum of 3,000, and create a self-sufficient away end (including toilet, refreshment facilities and turnstile), though there are several other jobs on the list.

The challenge was exacerbated by a ground grading visit in August that effectively ruled that the standing areas at pitch level were not able to be counted, thus reducing our existing capacity level in ground grading terms. Presently, those standing areas are one metre wide, and are required to be 2.7m wide (comprising a pathway and standing area) to enable them to be counted in the capacity calculation. This has ultimately added a significant cost on to the existing plans.

We are thankful to the work done so far by club sponsors Groves Town Planning, M10 Architects and SMW Architects, who have helped get the ball rolling with designs, their expertise and budgeting.

Click here to donate to the Yellows Groundfunder!

What works are planned?

We are now in a position to share some further detail in to the main planned works.

Below is the initial plan drawing from July which shows some of the new elements to scale.

A demountable stand containing 182 covered seats will be constructed next to the 3G pitch. A terraced area will be constructed alongside the stand to complete what will become the segregated away area when required. At non-segregated games, the stand will be in use for all fans.

Toilet blocks and snack bar facilities will also be constructed behind the stand.

To accommodate segregation, a fourth turnstile will be added to provide direct access to the away end.

Further turnstiles will also be created to replace the current silver-gated entrance alongside the clubhouse.

All standing areas will be extended to meet the ground grading requirements. Handrails will be installed in front of all extended viewing areas, and hatch-marked walkways will be implemented.

A disabled viewing platform/area will be created.

With the development of new facilities, there are numerous upgrades and work required in electrics and sewerage in and around the ground.

Future phases

Initially, it had been hoped that we would be able to create two new terraced areas either side of the main stand to provide enhanced viewing points for fans and additional areas for fans to stand together.

However, the significant costs added by the requirement to have a 2.7m concreted area around the pitch has meant these will now have to be put on the back-burner as we prioritise achieving the capacity goal and the requirements of the away end.

However, if and when we can raise funding to do so in the future, the plans are in place:

Funding

We now estimate that the cost of the works required by March will be in excess of £200,000. Planning permission has been submitted, which is required to enable us to apply for funding from the Premier League Stadia Fund. We will be eligible for around 60% total funding of the project.

That means that the club has to raise around £80,000 to fund the works.

With that in mind, we are opening up a Yellows Groundfunder campaign to enable fans and organisations to donate.

How to donate

If you donate over £50: Entry in to draw for 2x hospitality tickets for a match

If you donate over £100: Plaque on commemorative Yellows National League fans wall on side of new turnstiles

If your business wishes to donate to the groundfunder, quote for any of the required works or provide assistance in any way, then please contact james@warringtontownfc.co.uk in the first instance.