Wilderspool to face wrecker’s ball
THE historic former home of the Warrington Wolves is set to be demolished following the appointment of a contractor.
The ground, which opened in 1881, was vacated by Warrington in 2003 when it moved to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Since then the stadium has hosted the Wolves’ junior and academy matches. The last game was played in May.
The stadium is part of a mixed-use development being led by Wire Regeneration, a joint venture between the borough council and developer Langtree.
It plans to bring forward homes, offices and shops on a large area of land south of the town. The tie-up was first proposed last January and will cover the 12-acres of what was previously referred to as the Southern Gateway. It includes the approach from Wilderspool Causeway, Chester Road and Knutsford Road.
Langtree’s chief executive John Downes said: “The appointment of demolition contractors is a significant step in allowing us to push forward and deliver the masterplan for the southern gateway.
“This area of the town has an enormous potential to become a new centre of employment and retail, along with new residential areas. Just as the Wolves have gone on to write new chapters in their history in the Halliwell Jones stadium, we are working to give this part of Warrington a new lease of life.”
Buckingham Group Contracting has been appointed to demolish the stadium. It expects to start immediately and complete the job by October.
