Once upon a time, the Stade du Crossing stood majestic in Schaerbeek. Today, we stand before this stadium with a rich past. It is a place where legends were made. Let’s dive into the story of the Stade du Crossing.
Originally named Stade du Crossing, its story began long ago. Royal Cercle Sportif de Schaerbeek called this ground home. That was back in 1912. They proudly played in the national divisions for decades until 1968. In that year, they merged with Royal Crossing Club Molenbeek. Together, they became Royal Crossing Club de Schaerbeek.
The newly formed team achieved great success. They played at the highest levels. However, in the early 80s, the team declined. They moved to Elewijt.
Between 1983 and 2012, the Stade du Crossing fell into disrepair. Nature took over. It became a shadow of its former glory. But hope was not lost. The Brussels region recognized its importance. It declared the stadium a protected monument. Plans were made for a grand renovation.
In 2012, the Stade du Crossing was reborn. It was fully renovated. The stadium was modernized. Two teams started playing here again. Those teams were Crossing Schaerbeek and Renaissance Club Schaerbeek. To reflect this change, the name was officially changed to Stade Communal de Schaerbeek. Yet, many still call it Stade du Crossing.
Crossing Schaerbeek has its own unique history. It was founded during WWII as Union Sportive Albert Schaerbeek. They played in Stade Chazal. That stadium was next to Stade du Crossing. In 2012, they merged with RFC Evere. They chose the name Crossing Schaerbeek to honor the history of Royal Crossing Club de Schaerbeek.
The stadium now holds between 4000 and 5000 fans. It features a modern artificial turf field. It measures 107 meters long. The renovation project cost over 10 million euros. Beliris fully financed it.
The renovated Stade du Crossing includes new stands. It also boasts updated facilities. These improvements meet the needs of current and future users. It is enjoyable for athletes and local residents alike.
The South Stand is a notable feature. It houses a multisports hall in its basement. The terraces were partly retained. The entrance to the stadium is in the upper part of this stand. This stand is an expressionist concrete structure dating back to 1970.
Above the South Stand, there are offices and meeting rooms. There are also two panoramic cafeterias. These overlook the pitch and the park. A glass box volume connects the West and South Stands. It provides sound and wind protection. It also creates a visual link between the stadium and the neighborhood.
The Stade du Crossing has truly transformed. It once hosted Brussels’ biggest clubs. Now, it welcomes local teams. All Schaerbeek residents hope to see their teams rise to the national division once more. The spirit of the Stade du Crossing lives on.