Belgian side KV Mechelen have presented plans to redevelop their home ground Achter de Kazerne into a modern stadium with 18,500 places.
Mechelen, winner of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1988, have used the last few months to work on plans to improve the aged Achter de Kazerne stadium, which were presented to the public on Friday.
Achter de Kazerne, which derived its name from the military barracks (“kazerne”) located behind the stadium, currently consists of a mishmash of newer and older terraces and seating stands. It can hold just over 13,000 spectators.
The plans involve the demolition of one of the older stands behind the goal and the long terrace opposite the main stand. These stands will get replaced by two linked stands with standing on the lower level and seating above. VIP facilities will be included in the stand behind the goal.
In a later stage, the main stand will get refurbished and expanded with an extra building for the dressing rooms and club offices.
The club has not yet decided whether they will move out for a season and do all works in once, or if they use two seasons to gradually perform the works so that they can keep playing at the stadium. The costs of the works is estimated to be €10 million.
Mechelen will now start talks with the various interests groups, including fans, local residents, and municipal authorities, and then submit the plans for planning permission. They hope to start the building works during the 2013-14 season.
More drawings below, all via kvmechelen.be:
