Bollaert-Delelis Stadium renovation: "35,000 seats is acceptable" (G. Lévêque, RC Lens)

RC Lens' ground, the Bollaert-Delelis, is set to lose 6,200 seats, from 41,200 to 35,000, with renovations taking place from January 2014 in preparation for Euro 2016. "The benchmark for comfort and visibility has changed and requires us to review the number of seats. We have reduced our renovation budget from €98m to €70m (-28%)." Gerard Leveque, managing director of Racing Club Lens told NTF on 10/06/2013. He commented on the renovation project, competition in the region and the requirement for the club to play in another stadium during the 2014/15 season.

Why have you lowered renovation budget for the Delelis-Bollaert stadium?

 We do not have the financial means to maintain our stadium at 41,200 seats, as we had planned a few years ago. The benchmark for comfort and visibility has changed and requires us to review the number of seats. We have reduced our renovation budget from €98m to €70m. This reduction is, amongst other things, the result of the abandonment of the project to extend the Xerces stand by 4,000 seats.