Wakefield Trinity set for further stadium redevelopment

Wakefield Trinity owner Matt Ellis has issued a major stadium update for fans.

Speaking on BBC West Yorkshire Sport, he outlined a number of ways in which his club were looking to improve their home ground, Belle Vue.

Asked what he was most proud of at the club, Ellis responded: “It’s the ambition to take the club forward.

“We’re not ‘little Wakefield’ – we’re aiming higher.

“The start point was to go in and through the whole club, look at it and go: on the field we’re aiming higher, commercially we’re aiming higher.”

Filling the stadium a priority for Wakefield Trinity

“I said a few months ago: whatever the capacity is at the minute, let’s try and fill it. I think the thing I’m most proud of is the support – getting the support behind the club again. I was speaking to Daz in the club shop yesterday let’s try and push higher.

“I was looking at the IMG attendance bracket. It’s going to be tough to get 7,500 but we’re going to get it for the Bradford game. Let’s see if we can get the ball rolling. Long term, fill the stadium.

Upgrading the stadium

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Belle Vue is one of rugby league’s most iconic grounds, and after its smart new East Stand being completed last year, the club wants to go further with redevelopment.

“I was talking to Daryl [Powell] about it on Friday: I think we’ve got potential for a great rugby stadium.

“If we sort the West Terrace out, with the new stand, it’s got the old North Terrace, the atmosphere of the Terrace.

“If we do something smart over on the West, and then we’ve got the South Stand hospitality, it’s just a unique view.

“It’s not a boring ground, we need to just ramp the atmosphere up there. I think we’ve got one of the best grounds to go to.”

Wakefield Trinity and The West Terrace

Ellis suggested an exciting vision for Belle Vue’s western stand, which Wakefield Trinity fans may have reason to get excited about.

“I’d like to obviously put a roof on the West Terrace, that would mean we sell more home tickets in there as well, and do the rooftop terrace idea, I think that would be great.

“Obviously we’ve spoken to a couple of architects and got a few designs.

“I mean, we’ve got to fill the stadium. Obviously, you know, filling the stadium will drive that.

“I’m hoping we’re back in Super League because we’ve seen the interest grow through the year.

“So sun’s out, top of the Western Terrace, pint in your hand, it is a fantastic view from there.”

Floodlights

He also suggested that a quick fix could be done to improve the stadium as quickly as this week in regards to the floodlights at the ground.

“Well, there’s a lot of work done in regards to changing it. We’ve got a generator sorted for the Bradford game.

“It wasn’t on site yesterday., or fully commissioned and installed yet but that’s this week.”