Former Super League club outline ambitious stadium redevelopment plans

Wakefield Trinity have already underlined their ambitions by appointing former Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and Castleford Tigers boss Daryl Powell and drafting in Super League star Jermaine McGillvary.

But they are also showing tremendous ambition off the field as well as on it all thanks to new owner Matthew Ellis.

He is behind the statement signings from Wakefield which has included the arrival of Championship Player of the Year Lachlan Walmsley from the 2024 campaign as well.

But the best work could be done to the stadium. They have also radically redeveloped the stadium and they are set to add to that further as confirmed by Ellis on BBC Radio Leeds.

He said of the Western Stand: “When you’re in the new stand, that is what you’ll be looking at so we’ll be doing something with it. Belle Vue, it’s got a bit of quirkiness and a bit of charm to it so we want to do something that’s not an eyesore and dilapidated, whereas that’s what the building on the current west is.

“We need to do something for me a little bit different. I’ve been looking at a few designs, I’ve probably got an architect to look at it as well maybe something that incorporates being able to get a beer in there and and have a drink, maybe a terrace.

“We’re going to do something smart there because when you are looking out of the new stand, it is the first thing you see. So 100% whether that’s going to be pre-2024, but definitely before 2025. We’re going to be doing something there. Hopefully, we’re back in Super League. We’re determined to be back in Super League for then. We’ll do something a little different there.”

He also touched on the Eastern Terraces and seemed to hint that they could be renamed after club icon David Fifita:

“I was actually discussing that today and I think that one might be passed to the supporters. One of the things I want to do is get the supporters involved with things like club surveys and stuff like that.

“There is a sponsorship possibility in it, but I think, to be fair, I’d like to probably do that one as it’s a long time coming for the supporters, that new stand. I think that one, we’re going to hand that to the supporters to decide the name.

“Obviously there’s a big legendary player that might end up being that name, but we’ll see what the supporters want it to be. That is what I’m going to do with that stand, to be fair. I was discussing that with Verity earlier on today actually and I thought it’d be a nice touch for the supporters to be able to first survey.”

He also confirmed plans to emulate Hull KR’s Craven Street concept:

“I’m pretty fixed on the idea of getting a flat area behind there where you can put kiosks in and that because when you used to stand on back at North Terrace, fortunately you could watch the game but you might go half an hour queueing for a beer. That is something that we need to sort out.

“The service levels need to be a little bit better and stuff like that as well. I’ve spoken to builders about that area already, making it look better and a few kiosks, making the facilities there good and potentially doing different areas like maybe in front of the hospitality, doing some of there as well.

“Obviously Hull KR has got a great, you know, the great facility there for supporters to go and have a mingle around. Craven Street, isn’t it?  Yeah, I had a walk up there when we played away there last year. I had a walk up to Craven Street and had a look and good vibe, good atmosphere in there and want to recreate that, something like that.”