Renovated Stadium de Toulouse set for EURO
Sunday, January 17, 2016
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The renovated Stadium de Toulouse reopened on Saturday with the visit of champions Paris Saint-Germain, as a fireworks display capped the event in front of several famous faces.
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The Stadium de Toulouse officially reopened on Saturday as a Ligue 1 encounter between Toulouse and Paris Saint-Germain raised the curtain on the newly refurbished arena in front of numerous famous faces and more than 30,000 fans.
Festivities kicked off right after the final whistle as Paris secured a 1-0 win, with all eyes turning towards the renamed Just Fontaine Stand. "This is a first for me," said the 82-year-old Fontaine, who scored a record 13 goals at the 1958 FIFA World Cup. "I already have nine stadiums named after me, but tonight is the most emotional homage of all. My whole family is here, I met my wife here and I live here now. This is where it all began."
Alongside the city's mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc, Fabien Barthez – UEFA EURO 2016 ambassador for the city – expressed his satisfaction with the completed project: "It's all done now, and on time. To have PSG come and play here tonight, and to see the stadium packed gives us a good idea of how successful EURO will be here."
Three years of work were necessary for architects Cardete & Huet and Atelier Ferret to renovate and deliver the redesign for a total cost of €41.5m. Seats in the lower tier were enlarged from 60 to 75cm while a concert stage was installed in front the east stand. Lavatories and refreshment bars have also been renovated, while the press area has undergone expansion. Floodlights were changed and high-tech surveillance cameras installed to ensure maximum security around the four UEFA EURO 2016 matches due to be played in the city.
Laurence Arribagé, the member of parliament for the city, added: "This is a great inauguration; the supporters are truly happy. The stadium is now brand new, it's packed, and it's an immense pleasure to see that. It was all perfect, except that Toulouse lost!" A spectacular fireworks ceremony closed the inauguration in style.
