Ghelamco to file new stadium plans in last chance for Brussels 2020 hosting

By Samindra Kunti

August 22 – Building contractor Ghelamco will file a new application for the construction of Brussels’ Eurostadium with the Flemish government as time is running out for the venue. The Belgian capital is slotted to host multiple matches during Euro 2020. 

The construction of the stadium, the Belgian hub for Euro 2020, has faced bureaucratic obstacles and delays. The Eurostadion is to be build on Parking C in the vicinity of the current Heysel stadium, but various procedures, including applications for an environmental and construction permit, have setback the project.

As a last throw of the dice, Ghelamco has pursued the option of a centralized building application with the Flemisch government. The authorities have 120 days to consider the application for approval.

The stadium project has always been a contentious issue, a tangled web of administrative obstacles and local politics. Detractors claim the stadium is a venture for private profit, lead by the minister of finance of Brussels Guy Vanhengel and alderman Alain Courtois. In the past, Courtois was one of the driving forces behind the organisation of Euro 2000, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. He also spearheaded the Low Countries’ bid for the 2018 World Cup.

Previously, the city of Brussels had given the projected building site of the stadium in leasehold for 99 years to Ghelamco for a symbolic euro. Ghelamco would be allowed to build office space, hotels and restaurants on the site of the stadium. The projected prize tag of €432 million and manner of financing of the stadium had plenty of eyebrows raised,  with the Eurostadion facing opposition over the level of public funding.

Back in September 2014 UEFA chose Brussels as one of the 13 venues to host Euro 2020, a pan-European tournament, which former UEFA president Michel Platini coined as a ‘romantic’ one-off to celebrate the 60th birthday of the European Championship. Brussels was chosen ahead of Cardiff to stage group matches and a round of 16 match. UEFA has repeatedly warned that Brussels must meet the delivery deadline of 2019.

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