Lyon

Opposition To OL Land Gathers Today

Olympique Lyon’s plans for a new stadium holding 60,000 people remain in the balance due to the large number of residents opposing the venture. Twelve such groups meet today…

Sep 20, 2008 12:11:16 PM

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Jean-Michel Aulas (Olympique Lyonnais)

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O. Lyon

Jean-Michel Aulas will await nervously the outcome of today’s gathering of 12 residents’ groups who are opposed to his proposed venture of building Olympique Lyon’s new stadium and entertainment completed, named OL Land, in the district of Montoud.

Aulas, the president of Lyon, and Gerard Collomb, the mayor of Lyon, have pinpointed the district as the only place fit to play host to such a structure.

Inevitably, this has drawn opposition from residents, who are, naturally, concerned about the impact such a venture will have on their quality of life. “Imagine the arrival of 60,000 people every four days… The inhabitants will be affected by the harmful effects of the stadium, whether it is the noise or pollution,” Franck Buronfosse, president of the Carton Rouge pressure group, explained to Football365 back in July.

In addition, Lyon have asked for between €200 and €400 million of taxpayer’s money to help finance the switch – a move that has drawn further ire from those members of the local community not so football-minded.

It seems that plans to build the structure, which would also contain hotels, a kart racing track and a cinema amongst other amenities, in the Décienes are of the city have been firmly shelved after a condemning report in July.

Robin Bairner