Fewer building charges than Gelredome
The Dutch example of another stadium whose field can be moved, is the Gelredome at Arnhem. At the time of construction of the one mobile field at Arnhem cost about 9 million euros and would now be even more expensive. The charges for the construction of the basin, the installation and the fields of Amphidion are estimated at 10 percent of the Gelredome, which is about 1 million euros.

Environment-friendly
The moving charges too will be much less expensive. The weight of the Gelredome field is 11,000 tonnes, whereas the Amphidion field weighs 20 tonnes. Suppose the Gelredome field was annually to be moved each week, it would result in an electricity bill of 1.2 million euros. With the same moving frequency it would result in an electricity bill for Amphidion of approximately 30,000 euros on an annual basis. Maintenance and labour costs will also be more favourable.

The Gelredome field is moved over enamelled rails for which polytetrafluorethylene (teflon) is used as a lubricant. The construction and technical aspects require constant attention to maintenance and technical malfunctions. Every move involves many employees.

With Amphidion, the relatively simple technology requires far less attention and maintenance. Besides, only few people are necessary to move the fields. In principle only one engineer in the control room should do.

More proceeds
In addition to the fact that Amphidion is inexpensive, it is also much more profitable. The fields can be moved quickly and simply. As a result it is possible for the stadium to be used daily for any purpose. One day there is a football match, the other day a pop concert and the day after there is a show-jumping event. No problem.

It is evident that state aid is essential. In addition, the proceeds from the rent of office space, shops and catering establishments for a profitable exploitation of many of the existing stadiums are of vital importance to them. Thanks to the relatively low realisation costs and the many more facilities, Amphidion can be profitable without such cunning tricks.

Inexpensive and accessible locations
Because of all these exploitation advantages there is no need to build Amphidion in an urban area. There is no need to build office blocks and no shops are required for income. As a result, Amphidion can be built in a rural area, on less expensive grounds. In that way any possible problems concerning accessibility and parking facilities, which are not always there at the present stadiums, are not being faced. Of course, it is essential that Amphidion should be within reach by car and by train.

Click here to read a Dutch article from "SportLokaal" magazine regarding Amphidion, from October 2008 (opens as PDF).