On Tuesday, Union explained its plans for building a stadium on the proposed site in Bempt in a closed meeting with Vorst council members. According to Sudpresse, quite a few city councilors would find the offer of 3.5 million euros for the property too low.
Union sees the construction of a new stadium as crucial for the future of the club and submitted an offer of 3.5 million euros to the municipality of Vorst at the end of last year for the planned Bempt site. The first division team finds the location ideally located on the Ring and would like to remain in the Vorst community in order to maintain the historical connection to the current Joseph Marien Stadium. Union has also previously submitted studies to the community on mobility, the environment and the social impact of a new stadium.
Union explained the plans in a meeting with the city council on Tuesday. More than half of the 37 Council members attended. Among others, CEO Philippe Bormans, mobility manager and an architect of the possible new stadium gave a presentation. “The discussion was very constructive,” says Bormans. “We are transparent and open to all comments and questions. Only with good cooperation can we realize this important project for the club and all fans.”
Union is hoping for a positive response from Vorst at the February 14 municipal council meeting. But according to Sudpresse, there would be some opposition from Vorst council members. Among other things, the proposed amount of 3.5 million euros for the purchase of land would be too low. “The community should reject this offer,” said a member of the political majority. Ecolo is concerned about the sports facility next to the Bempt location. Union specifically says not to touch this zone, but there are still many questions about its accessibility when building a new stadium.
Sudpresse spoke to several representatives of the majority and the opposition and does not rate the talks in favor of Union for the time being. “The offer is very attractive on paper, but if you dig a little deeper, you realize that there are still problems,” says Simon de Beer from the PTB. At MR, Cédric Pierre-De Permentier spoke out in favor of keeping Union as a football club in Vorst. “The union and community must continue to negotiate to bring this project to a successful conclusion. The club is a gem for the community, but Vorst also needs to get the right compensation.”
Source : HLN
