The OSCAR VANKESBEECK STADIUM, situated in the city Mechelen in Belgium, is an unique time document from 1948. The stadium is the homebase of one on the country’s oldest footballteams, Racing Mechelen. The building breaths nostalgia and can be seen as a silent witness to 77 years of history. In 2024, however, the grandstand is worn down to the seam and there are plans for the COMPLETE demolition of this building. However, we want to PREVENT this at all costs. Keeping the entire stadium would not be possible and would only slow down the future of the club. We however, advocate the preservation of crucial architectural elements to preserve THE SOUL of the current grandstand.
An application was therefore submitted to have the facade of the main stand CLASSIFIED as heritage by the Flemish government. In this way we want to keep a UNIQUE piece of history alive and maintain the IDENTITY of a club, community and city forever. Every possible NEW STADIUM PROJECT would have include the facade if it has an approved classification.
One of the issues that they take seriously at the Flemish HERITAGE department is the public opinion. The facade has a unique value that transcends the aspect of sports, club colors and even nation. We strongly believe that the beauty of the historic facade is widely appreciated all over Belgium and even the world.
This UNIQUE TIME DOCUMENT must not disappear, but we will need all possible support. All those who want to support the request can APPROVE and SIGN the petition.
Reden
The OSCAR VANKESBEECK STADIUM of the RACING CLUB MECHELEN is a hidden gem in the working class district in the northern part of the city Mechelen. The main stand was built in 1948 and is one of the last remaining buildings with a classic BRITISH stadium architecture in our regions. The facade of the grandstand was designed in a MONUMENTAL POST-WAR style with columns, symmetry, glassware, ornaments and a large stone logo in the middle.
After the completion of the new stand, the stadium was given its current name, the Oscar Vankesbeeck Stadium. In addition to being chairman of the club for many years, OSCAR VANKESBEECK was also chairman of the Belgian Football Association, an ardent politician and a resistance fighter in WWII. The current stadium architecture and this Mechelen HISTORICAL FIGURE are inextricably linked.
Nearly 80 years of sports history took place in the current stadium. Shortly after the construction of the new grandstand, Racing experienced their best period in history with Belgian international players as JAN VAN DER AUWERA and RIK DE SAEDELEER. The LOGO made in stone on the facade is one of the first club logos and also the logo of this golden generation. The current architecture will always remain connected to THIS GLORY PERIOD.
Due to its unique architecture, the stadium offers a strong COMMUNITY VALUE for the city and the Mechelen Noord district. More than just stones, the Oscar Vankesbeeck Stadium is a place that guarantees the IDENTITY of a club, community and city.
In 2024, the entire stadium is threatened with demolition and the club is at a crossroads in its history. The club has to move forward and unfortunately that is no longer possible with the current accommodation, which is worn down to the seams. There is a need for a NEW STADIUM. However not at all costs! There are currently advanced plans to raze everything to the ground and build a megalomaniac new recreation complex. We see a DIFFERENT STORY, a viable story where a new stadium incorporates things from the current stadium to ensure a FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE and MEANINGFUL future for the club.
A story where a unique the cityscape is treated with respect. Preserving the facade is not only important for the architecture and the community, but can also make the club financially successful. The facade gives the club a UNIQUE POSITIONING in the Belgian and even foreign football landscape. A positioning that, with the RIGHT POLICY, is extremely attractive for new sponsors, investors and supporters. We want to fight for our MYTHICAL FAÇADE to write a story in which heritage and modernity could go hand in hand for a meaningful future.
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Waarom mensen ondertekenen
Mechelen
Omdat het een monument van onze stad is, zowel de club als (prachtige en historische onderdelen van) het stadion.
Dublin
Destroying the Oskar van Kesbeeck stadium is an act of cultural vandalism. Please don’t do anything that future generations will curse you for.