For many months, Paris Saint-Germain has been discussing the future of its stadium. The Parc des Princes now seems a bit too small. But the renovations are complicated, as is the process of purchasing the famous stadium from the City of Paris. A move to Massy or Poissy seemed certain. However, Emmanuel Grégoire reopened the discussion after his election as mayor. L’Equipe also reported on Monday that the move to a brand-new stadium is particularly complicated, according to the last two steering committee meetings.
Significant additional costs.
“Some reservations emerged regarding the infrastructure improvements needed to make both sites accessible by road or other means of transport, and the associated costs. For Poissy, improving public transport access for spectators is a ‘handicap,’ according to one steering committee member. This would require very substantial investments, estimated at several hundred million euros.
For Massy, there are also difficulties, more related to road traffic, even though several major highways (A6 and A10) connect the Essonne town to Paris and the Île-de-France region as a whole. The cost of the improvements would be three times lower than for Poissy, but is expected to be just as significant. ‘For both sites, substantial investments will be necessary to transport fans,’ confirms someone familiar with the matter.
‘A first steering committee meeting on the Parc des Princes project should be held by the end of the month.’
These reservations about Poissy and Massy Are these factors likely to strengthen the case for Paris and the Parc des Princes, an alternative that has regained credibility with the election of Emmanuel Grégoire as mayor of Paris?
Some believe so. After several technical meetings in recent weeks, a milestone will be reached at the end of the month. According to our information, the first steering committee meeting on the Parc des Princes project should be held before the end of the month. The date of June 25th has been suggested.
Unfortunately, this new stadium project remains particularly complicated. PSG is aiming high, which is understandable given its current stature. There is now a dilemma between its historic home and the possibility of undertaking a grand project outside of Paris. This project has drawbacks beyond the break with history, since the stadium must be accessible, and finding the right location is not easy.
We must now wait to learn more; the uncertainty persists. It is far too complex and important a decision to be certain of without having all the facts. More will be needed. We must be patient. We simply suspect that PSG will make the choice it believes is best for its future and its supporters.
