English rugby league club Wakefield Trinity has signed an agreement that means it can push ahead with the redevelopment of its Be Well Support Stadium at Belle Vue.

Preliminary work on the stadium redevelopment is already well underway and the club anticipates pressing ahead with the major structural work, commencing with the demolition of the existing East Stand, from 4 July 2022 after the home game against Wigan Warriors.

Wakefield Trinity chairman, John Minards, said:

This marks another significant milestone. The S106 Agreement, together with the contribution from Wakefield Council via the Sports Resilience Fund means that we now not only have the Planning Permission for our planned redevelopment but, importantly, have the funding confirmed as in place.

It is now three years since we completed the purchase of the freehold of the stadium. I am delighted that we finally got to this important stage despite the headwinds of the global pandemic and ongoing world events which have threatened to blow us off course. We remain resolutely committed to delivering the Community Stadium for both the Club and the people of Wakefield and are grateful to all the parties who are helping us get there!

The development will also provide first class amenities for the wider community of Wakefield and for the many activities delivered through the Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation. The plans include:

  • Construction of a new 2,500-seater East Stand to include a large hospitality/conferencing facility
  • Refurbishment the existing “Rollin Shack” to provide a multi-functional leisure space including a café and club retail facility
  • Renovation of the North Stand terracing providing an upgrade to spectator amenity in that part of the ground and an increase overall ground capacity
  • An upgrade of the existing floodlights to latest LED technology
  • Installation of a 4G pitch suitable for all weather use by both club and the community
  • Creation of landscaped car parking and a FanZone behind the new East Stand

Cllr Denise Jeffery, leader of Wakefield Council, said:

I am very pleased for Wakefield Trinity and its supporters that plans for the redevelopment of the stadium are moving forward.

Rugby League is hugely important to our district, and I am delighted that the grant from our Rugby League Resilience Fund, is helping Wakefield Trinity to progress with these exciting plans.

@PanStadiaArena