Good news has arrived for fans of Stade Brestois 29 - the project to build a new stadium, Arkéa Park, has been officially approved by the city of Brest. What benefits will the new stadium bring and why was it not possible to renovate the existing facility?

Why Arkéa Park?

The decision to build Arkéa Park was no accident. The club's current stadium, Francis-Le Blé, would have required an expensive refurbishment at a total cost of more than €60 million - all of which would have been covered by public money. In addition, the renovation would entail a huge inconvenience: a four-year reduction in stadium capacity by 25-40%, which would have a negative impact on the atmosphere, team performance and fan morale.

The examples of clubs such as Angers and Clermont-Ferrand, who were relegated to Ligue 2 while their stadiums were being renovated, show that renovating facilities during the season can be risky. Le Blé's locational constraints, including a lack of sufficient parking spaces or traffic problems, further argued against it.

Arkéa Park, unlike the upgrade of Le Blé, is an investment based on a sound financial model. With an estimated budget of €106 million, the project will be mainly privately funded. The commitment of public funds will remain double that of the renovation of the existing stadium.

© Cabinet d'architecture François de la Serre / Stade Brestois 29

Stadium to match ambitions

Arkéa Park is also a venue that will be vibrant all year round. With a capacity of 15,000 - in line with Le Blé's existing capacity - the stadium will be designed for a variety of scenarios: Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and even European cups. Its flexibility will allow the club to grow steadily while minimising the risk of excessive maintenance costs.

The facility will also become a hub for local activities: from sporting events to catering to inclusive programmes for people with disabilities. Arkéa Park is expected to generate jobs - both during construction (1,000 positions) and during the operation of the stadium.

© Cabinet d'architecture François de la Serre / Stade Brestois 29

Pioneer in taking into account needs of people with disabilities

A key element of the project is its impact on the local community. Arkéa Park is expected to contribute to the attractiveness of the Brest region, providing a new landmark - alongside places such as Océanopolis and Les Capucins. The stadium will also be more accessible to the region's residents, thanks to a properly planned infrastructure: new cycle routes, public transport and cooperation with local companies to organise car parks.

The project also takes into account the needs of people with disabilities. The stadium will be home to the Adapted Sport Club, a sports centre adapted to young people with mental and intellectual disabilities. This is the first such project in Ligue 1, making Arkéa Park a pioneer in terms of accessibility. The development of the club and its long-term future cannot be guaranteed if it does not get a stadium to match its ambitions, a stadium that our region deserves! - can be read in the official communiqué of Stade Brest.

© Cabinet d'architecture François de la Serre / Stade Brestois 29