Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “If you follow football in Wrexham, you’ll know that Wrexham AFC have been training on land at Nine Acre, in Maesydre, since the summer of 2017.
“During their time training on the Nine Acre field, we at Wrexham Council have worked with them to support a proposal for a new training ground.
“We’ve now helped them to complete this proposal for a new purpose built, long-term training venue, which will make sure they have a site suitable for professional football well into the future – and also allow us to move forward with plans for town centre schooling.
“Subject to approvals, addressing current conditions and legal requirements for the site, it is hoped that the club could begin training on grounds at the former Groves school in 2020.
“Freeing up Nine Acre will allow us to move on with plans for a new town centre primary school, which previously would have been located either on or near the former Groves.
“Although there are no plans for the redevelopment of the listed Groves school, the building will still be an asset in the council’s education department, surplus to requirements.
“This council has always stressed its ambition to create a new primary school in the town centre, and that goal was at the forefront of our discussions around plans for the former Groves school.
“We’ve worked very closely with the club to assess the initial suitability of the Groves site for a new training ground, and I’d like to thank them for their co-operation throughout this process.
“Football – and Wrexham AFC in particular – plays such an important part in the day-to-day life of Wrexham, and this work marks the start of much closer working between ourselves and the club.”
Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education at Wrexham Council, said: “Wrexham Council is delighted to be working work with Wrexham AFC to provide them with a new training site near the former Groves, and freeing up Nine Acre with a view to putting a 21st century school on that site instead.
Spencer Harris, Director of Wrexham AFC, said: “Creation of a purpose-built training venue with two brand new pitches suitable for a professional football club is the next step in reinstating the infrastructure needed for future success. We have been working to build a long lasting positive partnership with Wrexham Council and the Groves site has huge potential for us. The proximity to the Racecourse and the town centre location means that Wrexham AFC can remain right at the heart of the town.”
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