1/5 Head performer Will Vollenberg in the new stands (Photo: Alice van der Plas)
It was a bumpy road, but the new Helmond Sport stadium is now slowly but surely being built in Helmond. A lot of work still needs to be done before completion during next year’s construction period, but the stands, the business lounge, the sports halls and the supporters’ home are slowly becoming visible.
Board member William Verkoelen thinks it’s nice to see. “It’s great that it can be done at the old stadium.” Because Helmond Sport belongs on the Braak, says Verkoelen, surrounded by the large neighborhoods in Helmond, where many supporters live. “People can walk to the stadium. But we now also hope to attract more people from the region.”
New stadiums usually become larger, Helmond Sport will shrink by 600 seats and have two stands. “We have to sell this out first,” says Verkoelen. “After that we would really like to add a third stand.” He firmly believes that the stadium will give an impetus to Helmond Sport. “The club is doing well now. A lot of work is being done to take football to a higher level.”
“We thought, is it still going to happen?”
A few years ago, Verkoelen held his ground. Helmond Sport withdrew from the plans for the sports and education campus on the Braak, where a new school and swimming pool have also been built. The club no longer saw the investment of one and a half million euros. The new stadium seemed to be completely off track for a while. To the horror of William Verkoelen. “We thought: is it still going to happen?”
It turned out well, but the stadium turned out to be more expensive. The costs are more than 30 million. But there is also something in return. A stadium with two sports halls, an athletics track around it, a supporters’ home and a large business lounge. Amateur clubs such as SV De Braak will also have a home there. “Our supporters sit close to the field,” says Verkoelen as he walks past the stands. “That is also unique.” Do they not run onto the field? “That never happens here.”
“I saw the design and thought, wow, I want to build that”
Chief executive Will Vollenberg of Wijnen Bouw in Someren saw the design for the stadium and was immediately captivated. “I had another job, but I saw the design and thought: wow, I want to build that. I had never done anything like that before.”
The stands in particular are unknown territory for Vollenberg. “We had to look carefully at how we were going to make it and how they should be laid. We looked a lot at existing stands.”
The details on the facade of the stadium are also a challenge. Slats will be installed on the facade that will provide light. “It’s not rocket science,” says Vollenberg, “but it is labor intensive. Every part you pick up needs your full attention. But it is nice work and I think we will soon have a nice end product.”
“I once calculated that I have seen around 1,200 matches here”
The intention is that the matches will be played in the new stadium in January 2025. The light poles go up considerably. “The whole of Peel will soon be able to see us play football,” says Verkoelen.
A moment that Verkoelen is looking forward to, although saying goodbye to the old stadium is also difficult for him. There are memories on the field. “People got married here. I once calculated that I have seen around 1200 matches here. I almost never skip.” The old stadium will be demolished and make way for training fields.