A new rent agreement for Degerfors IF's football stadium has sparked debate in the municipality about the costs of elite football for a small community. According to reports, Degerfors IF will pay approximately 3.6 million kronor annually in rent under a new five-year agreement for Stora Valla arena. However, the total operating cost for the arena is reportedly around 11.9 million kronor, meaning the municipality covers the majority of expenses.
The agreement establishes a fixed rent level, which both the municipality and club see as an advantage over the previous variable system. "It has been important for us to get predictability. Now we know what we have to work with going forward," said Degerfors club manager Joakim Ekblom.
It has been important for us to get predictability. Now we know what we have to work with going forward.
Municipal council chair Anneli Mylly (V) defended the arrangement, calling it a societal investment that affects the entire municipality. "It's not just about the A-team. This is a societal investment that affects the whole municipality," she said.
However, opposition representative Peter Nyström (SD) criticized the subsidy level. "We have an operating cost of 11.9 million per year and receive 3.6 in rent. It speaks for itself that this is a large subsidy," he said, questioning whether the support to a single association is proportionate to the municipality's economy.
It's not just about the A-team. This is a societal investment that affects the whole municipality.
The debate highlights the tension between supporting local identity through sports and managing municipal finances in economically challenging times for smaller communities.
We have an operating cost of 11.9 million per year and receive 3.6 in rent. It speaks for itself that this is a large subsidy.