The new stadium in St. Gallen is in the planning stage and it's
imperative, although it will be hard for the fans to take leave
of the time-honoured Espenmoos, since there were so many
unforgettable football-parties, like two years ago when St. Gallen
was Swiss-Champion. Once there was place inside for 14'900 fans,
now the capacity has been reduced to 11'300 fans. Even though the
stadium is nearly always sold out, the receipts are still limited.

At the moment Basel is the best example for what a new stadium can
produce. The enthusiasm is enormous, the average of fans amounts to
25'000 for each match. In the old one it amounted to 10'000. This fact,
of course, will have a positive influence on the financial possibilities
of the club and it encourages the team. There are new chances of publicity,
so the club becomes interesting for potential sponsors. A lot of new
pecuniary resources will be the result of all that. For that reason the
player's cadre can be expanded in spite of very high prices. So the FC Basel
is playing the leading part in the Swiss football-championship at
the moment, they are a deserved champion this year.

In Bern the situation is about the same.
The Young Boys returned to the NLA, they are now playing in the
Neufeld and the new Wankdorf is under construction. The stadium,
with a capacity of also more than 30'000 fans, is being opened in
2004 and will probably produce the same boom as in Basel.

In addition to this in Zurich and Geneva there will soon be new stadiums
too, that are surely attracting more people of Zurich and Geneva than
up to now.

The FC St. Gallen that had often got financial problems in the past
is really dependent on the new stadium if they want to play on the same
level as the best teams in Switzerland also in the future. The Eastern Swiss
are enthusiastic concerning football and like the FC St. Gallen very much.
That's why there are no doubts that such a boom would also happen in the
OLMA-city, although in a more modest way. The stadium that
is planned in the west of the city should have 18'000 seats. For the
national championship with standing places there will be room for 21'000,
but likewise effective. Unfortunately in St. Gallen there are still some
people who don't agree and therefore, they are crossing the plans
of this project. But it's to be hoped that these people can be convinced
very soon, for which one is on the right track.

Another important step in realizing this project has
been done when the city, the district, the investors
Jelmoli and Ikea and the Stadium AG could come to an agreement. The
commercial use has been reduced by 20% to 37'000 square metres. Moreover
there will be less parking places (1100). But now it should remain
that way, because another reduction would mean the end of this
project. The next meeting is taking place soon. On that occasion a lot of
progress should be made. It's to be hoped that the new arena can be built
and completed till the season 2004/2005, so far as everything is working.


Written by Sandro.