Sportpark De Toekomst

History

In 1991, it was decided that the former De Meer Stadion of Ajax, situated in Watergraafsmeer would be replaced by the new Amsterdam ArenA, which in turn called for new training grounds for both the amateur and youth teams of the club. Sportpark Voorland, situated behind the old stadium was considered too small, and was to be demolished to make room for housing.

Originally, Ajax had intended to establish their facilities at Sportpark Strandvliet on the Zwartelaantje, while the tenants present SV Amstelland refused to relocate at the time. This eventually led to Ajax shifting their focus to Sportpark De Toekomst in Ouder-Amstel. The previous tenants, TOS-Actief, were willing to vacate the premises and the new stadium was built and opened in 1996.

Design

The Sport park was designed by René van Zuuk. It comprises five grass football pitches, two artificial turf pitches, a covered grandstand with 1250 seats, and bleachers along with a club house seating 250. Since the reserves team Jong Ajax (Ajax 2), have competed in the Eerste Divisie since the 2013–14 season, which saw the expansion of an additional 800 seats on the main stand, and an additional 100 seats for the supporters of the visiting team.

The main stand has a bent canopy hanging off two leaning pillars. Van Zuik received the National Steel Price, in the category of "characteristic steel components". Since 6 June 2009, the main stands at De Toekomst are named after the deceased Bobby Haarms, a former coach and honorary member of the club.

The letters ajax, visible on the training sites main grandstand, are a replica of the ones that were previously mounted on Ajax old grounds at De Meer Stadion. The original letters hang above the entrance at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Bibliography

• Nederlands Architectuurinstituut, Architectuur in Nederland - Jaarboek 1996-1997, NAi Uitgevers, Rotterdam, 1997,
• David Endt, Het officiële Ajax jaarboek 1996-1997, Luitingh-Sijthoff, Amsterdam, 1997,
• Evert Vermeer and Marcel van Hoof, Ajax 100 jaar - jubileumboek 1900-2000, Luitingh-Sijthoff, Amsterdam, 2000,

References

References

1. [http://www.ajaxinside.nl/pagina/toekomst De Toekomst], AjaxInside, geraadpleegd: 24 september 2013
2. [http://www.ajaxlife.nl/updates/extra-tribune-onderdeel-verbouwing-de-toekomst Extra tribune onderdeel verbouwing De Toekomst], AjaxLife, 27 juni 2013
3. "De Toekomst | de Club".
4. link. (2015-07-13 , Ajax.nl, geraadpleegd: 24 september 2013)
5. "De Toekomst krijgt 2250 Zitplaatsen". Ajax Showtime.
6. "T.O.S.-Actief".
7. [http://www.renevanzuuk.nl/nederlands/Ajax.pdf De Toekomst, 1996]{{dead link. (May 2018)
8. [http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/11/SPORT/article/detail/3466126/2013/06/27/De-Toekomst-breidt-uit-voor-Jong-Ajax.dhtml De Toekomst breidt uit voor Jong Ajax] www.parool.nl, 27 juni 2013
9. [http://www.classic.archined.nl/extra/staalprijs/tribune.html Nationale Staalprijs Categorie B - Tribune Sportpark de Toekomst] {{webarchive. link. (2006-07-15 Uitslag en juryrapport Nationale Staalprijs 1998 op www.archined.nl)
10. [http://vorige.nrc.nl/sport/article2271007.ece Ajax vernoemt tribune naar Bobby Haarms] www.nrc.nl, 13 juni 2009
11. link. (2009-02-08)