Some already see themselves there… “Great! Go Racing ”, launches Christophe Collin on our Facebook page, quickly joined by other Internet users. ” Good news at last. I look forward to it ”. On the other hand, others denounce the costs, worry about possible parking problems, fear that the space will not be adapted quickly …
In short, the future fan zone of the Meinau stadium in Strasbourg, which we presented to you on Thursday, made the readers of 20 minutes. In total, about fifteen people responded to our call for contributions, to which are added the dozens of comments on social networks and our site.
First observation: several people salute a “beautiful project” by mentioning this place of 5,000 m² in front of the main entrance to the enclosure. This is where up to 5,000 people can gather, in the middle of bars, brasserie, giant screens and entertainment. With, behind them, a renovated stadium, the size of which will increase from 26,000 to 32,500 seats by September 2025.
“Strasbourg, capital of supporters’ fair play, deserves such a zone”, greets Vincent on the Contribly platform. “We are all anxious to see this great project come to fruition,” adds Raphaël, “hoping that the refreshment and catering services will improve, because currently it is just not possible. “
“5,000 places seem just in view of the affluence”
While waiting to go and taste some flammenkueches, other readers are more doubtful. “Too bad that the fan zone could not be bigger, 5,000 seats seems just in view of the crowds before and after the match”, thinks Audrey, not alone in sharing this concern. “It seems limited to me,” approves Jlux Obione, relaunching, with others, the (closed) debate on the capacity of the stadium. “Almost all games are sold out so the potential […] can be reduced to a minimum of 50,000 seats or even more, ”says El Aid Kodad.
Already with 32,500 spectators, accessibility concerns should be added to the current ones. Several contributors raise them. “I hope that parking lots will be set up around the stadium because the parking problem really arises on match days or nights,” says Véronique. It should be disappointed, like those who are proposing the construction of a Silo car park: the trend is more towards “modal shift”. This is what emerges from the recommendations drawn up from the public consultation carried out since 2019.
Clearly, the city and the greater Strasbourg area want to limit car access to the stadium and promote public transport via park and ride facilities, or even gentler modes. “In the cycling capital, you have to attach your two-wheeler to a barrier or a post because nothing is planned for this. It would be necessary to find solutions, ”points out Gilles.
“Unauthorized parking will be referred to further”
“People living at the other end of the Eurometropolis do not necessarily want to take the tram for an hour. As for the others, they do not necessarily have the time depending on the work etc. And those outside the city do not necessarily want to park in a relay car park and then take the tram, especially with children, people of a certain age or health concerns ”, summarizes Audrey, once again porte – voices of several readers.
“Unauthorized parking will be carried over further, anticipates her, Marine Océane. Already during major matches, some parked on the sidewalks near Darty more than an hour before, when it is not in private parking spaces ”. Here again, the public authorities have announced their desire to fight, as of now, against these illegal parking lots, first of all in a preventive manner.
“A new stadium should be erected outside the city of Strasbourg. The problems of access and parking would arise with less acuteness ”, believes Frédéric where others denounce (always) the total cost of the renovation of the stadium, that is to say 100 million euros excluding taxes, completely financed by public money. Half of which just for the Eurometropolis and 12.5 million euros for the city. “It is football, the league and the clubs which are private companies which generate a lot of money to finance their own infrastructures”, plague Jean-Philippe, “fan of football and Racing”. And so maybe a client of the next fan zone.