Standard president Roland Duchâtelet has returned inspired from Standard’s Europa League visit to Copenhagen last Wednesday, and subsequently launched the idea to fit Standard’s Stade de Sclessin with a retractable roof, new business facilities, and artificial turf.
Having only taken over the club earlier this year, the president has now provided a first insight in his plans with the 102-year-old stadium. A retractable roof may be part of these, as will be office space, conference facilities and retail activities, and the capability to organise events such as pop concerts. This should turn Sclessin into a multifunctional stadium along the lines of Copenhagen’s Parken stadium, which income is realised for only 40% out of football related activities.
During his visit to Parken the president received a tour through the stadium, which he now seems to use as a blueprint for Sclessin, last refurbished for the Euro 2000 tournament. Apart from this, Duchâtelet also seeks to install artificial grass at the 30,000-seater stadium, a move that will surely lead to opposition from the fans.
But then, who knows what will inspire Duchâtelet if Standard is to meet Manchester United, Porto, or Lazio in further rounds of this year’s Europa League.