Koevermans started his speech by saying that the intimidation and threats had an impact. “The fact that the absence of the BVO management has caused a stir is regretted and was absolutely not the intention,” said Koevermans. He did not want to explain why he wanted to come now, after a week. He then explained the business case and answered frequently asked questions from supporters. It was also said again that the club really wants a new stadium.
Business case
According to the management of the BVO, the Business case is really feasible. Many supporters have indicated in recent days that the figures would be too rosy, but director Koevermans denies that. “Specialists from internal and external have looked at it and think it is feasible. The new plan must be good for Feyenoord and not just the first years”.
The aim is to participate annually in the top three in the Netherlands and to spend the winter in Europe more often. Until now, Feyenoord has not budgeted for European football, but that will happen with the new stadium. That should yield at least between 7 and 10 million euros, the council calculated.
Of course, the minimum fee of 25.4 million was soon discussed. Koevermans: “You can always ask yourself: what is a big increase now. Is more than 7.5 to 8 million euros worth it? That is allowed and possible, but the fact is that Feyenoord is never worse than the current situation. gets up.”
Season tickets
The seating plan is still being worked on, was the message from the management. There is now a concept, which has also been presented to a supporters’ association De Feyenoord. This will be discussed further in the coming months. Linked to this is the price of the season tickets. Koevermans said he expects an average price increase of about 15 to 20 percent. However, there will be 20,000 season tickets available for under 400 euros. “Business sales show the largest increase,” said Koevermans. “We are now lagging behind. Feyenoord can and must make steps forward.”
The SP and 50Plus wanted to know where those supporters would end up. Commercial director Joris van Dijk has explained that the seats on the first, second and third ring will be on the short side. Possibilities on the long side are also being looked at. “We want to let the family move and give it a good place”.
The hospitality income for supporters in the business case has been adjusted slightly downwards and is now expected to be around 7 euros per person. According to the board of the BVO, the fact that much more money is being spent in the new stadium is partly because it is much easier to get a snack and drink. “We do assume real beer, as a supporter asked.
Rise in construction costs and financing
Feyenoord still has concerns about two important conditions. The first is the rise in the price of raw materials for construction. These rising prices are closely monitored. We are now waiting for the first estimates from the construction companies. “We maintain that the stadium must be built for a maximum of 441 million euros. The costs should not affect the current business case.” Koevermans has indicated that it will certainly take until the end of the year before the club can provide clarity.
The councilors wanted to know what happens if it gets too expensive? Ruud van der Velden of the Party for the Animals wanted to know. Dennis Tak was curious if Feyenoord waits if the costs are too high or if there is a deadline and therefore a decision is made not to do it. There was no answer.
Friends aan de Maas is also still working on financing. 30 million intentions have now been received and money lenders are sought for another 10 million euros. The management of the BVO is confident that the VadM will succeed in raising the remaining 10 million.
“The area development fits very well with Rotterdam”, said director Mark Koevermans. “The new stadium can act as a catalyst, both from a sporting and social point of view.” The management says they understand the emotions that there are for leaving De Kuip. “I also think that it is a beautiful stadium with a unique atmosphere. I have many memories of it, such as having been there for the first time with my grandfather at the age of 5. But the task of the management is the future and the goals and dreams to realise”.
Support base
The councilors also wanted to know from Feyenoord what the support of the supporters for the plan is now. In recent days, many opponents have said that they will not be spoken to if it becomes clear that they are against Feyenoord City. Koevermans found the question about support difficult to answer. “There have been investigations and information evenings held. But we do not speak to all 2.5 million supporters. Good advice is included, but not all wishes can be realised.”
Commercial director Joris Van Dijk said that, according to him, the supporters who had spoken at the municipality mainly spoke from emotion. That comment was not well received by many of the political groups in the city council. 50Plus, GroenLinks and the PvdD said that the supporters who criticize this are being shortchanged. Jeroen Postma of GroenLinks: “We have heard a lot of rationale from the supporters here this week”. Later in the evening, Van Dijk said that he did not mean his statement that way and apologized.
Leefbaar Rotterdam party chairman Robert Simons wanted to know whether the club is prepared to hold a new survey. Van Dijk says that a new sample is indeed being conducted once again to assess the support among season ticket holders and business relations.
What about the choice for a legion or supporters room, Dennis Tak of the PvdA wanted to know. The choice has not yet been made, according to the board of the BVO. The talks are still ongoing. “We are not against it, but we do have an opinion,” said Koevermans. Director Van Dijk said that the location of that room is still being looked into.
renovation?
The councilors wanted to know whether rebuilding the Kuip is still an option. Roel Vollebregt, director of the new stadium, says it is not a good choice. In the past, he was also involved in BAM’s renovation proposal. “No matter how well you renovate, it won’t be as good as a new stadium to complete your business case. And with renovation you also have to deal with loss of income during the renovation.
Decision
At the end of the evening, Koevermans said that the club hopes for a positive decision from the city council in early July. Earlier this week, Alderman Van Gils of large projects also called in a letter to the council for the municipality to take a decision not to trust other investors. That argument was endorsed by Pieter Smorenburg, Feyenoord’s financial director. “Why does the council have to decide already? That is up to you. What do we notice? It helps in the discussions with investors and builders.”
Then there is the question of whether the board members will still receive a bonus if the project continues? That suggestion was reported during the consultation meeting with the supporters. Director Smorenburg: “No, that is not the case”.
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