IT HAS NOW been a year since plans to unveil a park named after one of Wrexham AFC's star owners were confirmed - but the site has remained pretty much the same ever since.
Last October, Rob McElhenney 'gifted' Reds co-chairman Ryan Reynolds his very own park for his birthday.
He added that the 'Ryan Rodney Reynolds Memorial Park' would be located on the site of the old Hippodrome on Henblas Street, which has been closed for a number of years.
Rob outlined preliminary plans to Wrexham Council of his aims and ambitions for the park and how he hopes that both he and Ryan are able to create a flexible space that can be used by the Wrexham community.
As the space strongly associates with the Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, there is also potential to create a family orientated space, possibly with play facilities, tables and chairs, artworks, street food and even some community cinema with a nod back to the former Hippodrome site.
This would, according to Wrexham Council, provide variety in the form and function of the city’s external spaces, creating a new destination for a wider demographic group — reinforcing Wrexham’s ambition of becoming a ‘playful’ city.
A consultation with residents over plans was launched back in March of this year.
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But many, with the site still empty, have been asking what the next step is for the site.
This week, the Leader contacted Wrexham Council for the latest update.
In response, councillor Nigel Williams, lead member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “Officers are continuing to work on the project with a further report to be presented to the executive board for a decision in due course.”
Locally, the Wrexham community all know the proposed site as that of the former Hippodrome cinema which was much loved before being demolished in 1998.
However, after lying vacant for a number of years, Wrexham Council purchased the site in late 2021 with the aim of using it to help create a focal point for increased dwell time and to stimulate some of the regeneration of this part of town.
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