By Paul Nicholson
October 2 – Amsterdam ArenA, the home of Dutch giants Ajax and which will host four matches at the 2020 European Championships, has unveiled a major €50 million renovation project that will radically alter the look of the stadium and upgrade spectator facilities.
The upgrade programme – titled Plan 2020 – will see the shape of ArenA change from concave to convex, while the upper tier concourse will be widened by more than three times its current width allowing for more concessions in what is currently a very tight space for spectators.
The 28,000 seated upper tier will also be served by more escalators and toilet facilities as well increased natural light and a “climatised” environment.
The ArenA’s capacity is just over 53,000 and that is not going to change.
The stadium’s change from a concave to a convex shape will entail a dramatic new facade which will wrap around the stadium. An ArenA press release said: “The project is designed to introduce as many extra sustainable and innovative measures as possible. The new facade will be equipped with integrated photovoltaic cells, for example, and rainwater will be harvested and used to flush the toilets. Indoor lighting will be restricted to LED lamps exclusively.”
Henk Markerink, CEO of the Amsterdam ArenA, said: “The ArenA permanently invests in its future. This stadium renovation offers us the opportunity to provide the best possible quality and service to our visitors. We currently have 2,800 m2 of concourse space available for 28,000 visitors in the upper tier, which leaves hardly any space to accommodate comfortably. The ingress and egress of visitors could be more optimized as well. Over the next few years, we will improve this situation dramatically. Starting from 2020, the ArenA will be going strong for another 25 years.”
Planning approvals and work certificates are expected to be completed by the end of 2015 with the three-phase renovation starting in the first quarter of 2016, starting with the east side of the stadium, followed by the south and north sides. Each phase is expected to take a year.
The Amsterdam ArenA has a strong history of continual development with the installation of escalators (2005), the construction of a new main building (2013), the rollout of a WiFi and 4G network (2014) and expansion of the number of seats (2013 and 2015).
Speaking on behalf of Ajax, Edwin van der Sar said: “The plans of the ArenA are in close alignment with Ajax’s views. They are innovative and ambitious, as well as functional. As a club and as a stadium, we need to keep up with progress. With these adjustments, the ArenA will be ahead of the game again, just like it was at the time of the opening in 1996. That is why our first impression is positive.”
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