Feyenoord has set up a special project group to investigate three options with regard to a new Kuip, the club announced on Thursday. Two options concern the renovation of the current Kuip, the third variant is a new stadium on the Maas. The project group is expected to submit a final report in April, which will be presented to the club’s Supervisory Board.
“All three plans are assessed on the same criteria,” Feyenoord writes on the club site. “This includes looking at construction costs, atmospheric elements, foundation costs, financeability and the contribution to Feyenoord’s budget. The project group will ask various stakeholders, such as supporters and the municipality of Rotterdam, for their input.” The project group will submit a final final report for the Management Board and the Supervisory Board in April. The final report is also published.
Two variants are being investigated in which the current cockpit is being renovated. The third option is a new Kuip on a plot on the Maas. The options are tested against twenty different criteria, including making possible the sporting ambitions, offering commercial facilities and being easily and safely accessible. The club also values that supporters can sit close to the field. As part of the investigation, Feyenoord will enter into discussions with supporters, who can give their opinion by means of a survey.
For more than ten years there has been talk of a new stadium or renovation of the current Kuip. Several plans fell through before the finish line. Feyenoord’s supporters are strongly divided about the plans for the new Feyenoord City stadium complex. The plans are seen by some as a necessary step for the Rotterdam club, while opponents are afraid that the club will deteriorate with an too expensive stadium. The now resigned general manager Mark Koevermans and architect Ard Buijsen were even threatened.