Wolves have unveiled ambitious plans for a £40million redevelopment of their Molineux home.
Molineux to undergo a £40m facelift
Wolves have unveiled ambitious plans for a £40million redevelopment of their Molineux home.
The proposal would see the ground's capacity increased to 36,000, with the works set to be completed in time for the 2014/15 campaign.
The project will be submitted to the local authority in July, with local residents having been made aware of the plans on Thursday.
The development consists of four stages, although planning permission will only be sought for the first three.
Phase one is scheduled to start with the demolition of the Stan Cullis Stand at the end of the forthcoming season, with a state-of-the art two-tier structure constructed that extends into the open corner of the Steve Bull Stand - starting a stadium bowl design.
Phase two will then see a new two-tier Steve Bull Stand built over the course of the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons in time for the start of 2014/15 - taking Molineux's capacity from 29,303 to 36,000.
Investment
Phases three and four respectively, which are subject to supporter demand and not included in the £40m figure, would see the Jack Harris Stand regenerated to match the first two stands and take capacity to around 38,000.
With early plans also drafted to possibly redevelop the Billy Wright Stand to take the figure up to 50,000.
The considerable outlay will eat into club funds, but chief executive Jez Moxey insists the plans will not affect manager Mick McCarthy's transfer budget.
Speaking about the iconic project, he said: "These plans represent an exciting vision for the redevelopment of Molineux, which our chairman Steve Morgan had when he first acquired the club in 2007.
"His commitment to Wolves and his investment into all aspects of the club has helped us develop both on and off the field, culminating in the team retaining its Premier League status for the coming season."
Boost
Wolves have been granted a 99-year lease on Molineux and the club are determined to ensure that their stadium generates maximum revenue, while providing the best possible matchday experience for supporters.
Moxey added: "Redeveloping Molineux will provide a significant boost to the local economy at a time when the country is attempting to come out of a painful recession.
"However, at the same time we need to set expectations. We intend to manage our plans in the same way we run our club - namely in a very sensible and commercially sound way but stadium redevelopment plans will not affect our plans to continue to invest in the team.
"We must get this balancing act right if we are to be successful in the medium to long-term.
"Today's announcement is the start of a long and challenging journey, which means the shape of our plans may change over time.
"There are exciting times ahead but this is only the beginning of a long and difficult process."
