Amsterdam ArenA asks public to contribute to stadium renovation
by Matthew Campelli | 08 Dec 2015
ArenA officials want ideas relating to security, food and fan experience / Amsterdam ArenA
The Amsterdam ArenA, home to Dutch football giant AFC Ajax, is to undergo a "large-scale" renovation, with the team behind the development asking for public contribution to the redevelopment plans.
The renovation, which is due to commence in Q1 2016, will not increase the stadium’s capacity of 53,000 - the largest in the Netherlands - but will improve its “level of service, quality and sustainability”.
With the aim of increasing the space for visitors, reducing queueing times, improving security, reducing waste, offering healthy food choices and providing visitors an online experience, ArenA officials have called on “creative thinkers, innovative entrepreneurs, startups, technical engineers and students” to submit proposals.
Those wanting to enter the contest can submit their plans within five categories: safety and security; healthy food and beverage concepts; fan experience; cleaning and maintenance; and connectivity.
Entry to the competition will close in March 2016 with ideas to be evaluated by a jury consisting of the innovation partners of the Amsterdam ArenA – Microsoft, Huawei, KPN, KPMG and TNO.
The winning ideas will be developed and tested in the stadium’s Innovation Center and in the ArenA during stadium events.
As part of the renovation, additional lifts, toilets, catering outlets and escalators will be installed, while the upper tier and lower tier concourses will be enlarged. The shape of the ArenA is also due to alter, from concave to convex, with the entire project expected to be complete by 2020.
The ArenA will boost its already strong sustainability credentials with photovoltaic cells integrated into the new facade, collecting rainwater for use in the toilets. It has already installed 4,000 solar panels on the roof and an energy storage system which uses giant rechargeable batteries.
“Innovation cannot be achieved alone; the best creations are the result of a cooperative effort, said Henk Markerink, chief executive of Amsterdam ArenA. “It is part of our DNA. To name a few examples, the construction of the stadium was funded through what is now known as crowdfunding, the so-called returfing technique was developed in the ArenA and we were the first stadium ever to introduce our own electronic payment system.”
The Amsterdam ArenA, home to Dutch football giant AFC Ajax, is to undergo a "large-scale" renovation, with the team behind the development asking for public contribution to the redevelopment plans. The renovation, which is due to commence in Q1 2016, will not increase the stadium’s capacity of 53,000 - the largest in the Netherlands - but will improve its “level of service, quality and sustainability”. With the aim of increasing
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