El Salvador Govt stately venue revamp plans

Article posted by Coliseum, September 30^th, 2021

Image: Teleprensa.sv

The Government of El Salvador (country in Central America) presented a developmental plan recently to totally modify the Jorge ‘El Mágico’ González National Stadium at San Salvador in El Salvador and the design was also revealed at an event held to make the announcement. The price tag of the whole development will stand at circa US $22 million.

The work will begin with the demolition of the stands and in February 2022 the remodeling work will start.

The ‘Contra Punto’ stated that the Government has taken the above decision in the greater interests of the Salvadorans and to better position the country at a global scale.

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The Jorge ‘El Mágico’ González National Stadium is a football stadium in San Salvador. It is named after the Salvadorean star player Jorge Alberto González. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000 and was previously known as ‘Estadio Nacional Flor Blanca’ referring to the name of the San Salvador neighborhood where it is located. The stadium was restored in 2001 to host big ticket sporting events in Latin America, the Central American and Caribbean Games in August 2002.

The Honorary President of the National Institute of Sports of El Salvador (INDES), Yamil Bukele, presented the entire project plan officially in the said event to repurpose the above facility.

The National Institute of Sports of El Salvador (INDES) is the highest national rector of sport by legislative decree No. 300 of the year 1980. A total of 32 sports federations come under its purview.

The ‘Contra Punto’ further stated that the redecoration work will be carried out with the help of loan taken from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) amounting to US $115.2 million allocated under the Program for the Infrastructure Construction and Rescue of Sports Scenarios at the National Level Program.

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) is a regional entity that was established with the objective of promoting economic integration and balanced economic and social development in Central America.

The above venue is one of the main arenas in El Salvador and houses the athletics, wrestling, body building, rowing, and shooting sports federations.

The bleachers will be torn down, natural grass will be set up, new athletic tracks will be laid down, the irrigation system and lighting facilities will be upgraded, the sewage disposal system will be streamlined, and wastewater pipes will be properly rebuilt.

Bukele explained that the project plans include the construction of a parking lot solely for buses, so that athletes can enter the stadium hitch-free. There will also be a parking space for 180 vehicles and all facilities will have access for people with disabilities.

The refurbished venue will boast six commercial premises and an area devoted solely to eateries. In addition, the arena will come armed with an educational games area, a 30-person mini cinema hall and a recreational space where people can put their hair down and soothe their frayed nerves.

Exulted Bukele, “I am thrilled with the Government deciding to reconfigure the Jorge ‘El Mágico’ González National Stadium. It will also boost the morale of our athletes to perform better.”

A museum will be built to pay ode to the Salvadoran soccer giant Jorge ‘el Mágico’ González after whom the stadium has been named.

Jorge Alberto González Barillas, popularly known as El Mágico, is a Salvadoran former footballer who played mainly as a forward. The player was also present at the event and Bukele sang paean of praises for him, “The stadium has been built in Mágico’s name and the objective is that youth and posterity should know the legacy of this Salvadoran pride.”

Stated a thrilled Mágico, “I am totally overwhelmed. I belong to such a beautiful country El Salvador and I thank God for that.”

The Minister of Finance for El Salvador, who is also the President of the CABEI Board of Governors, Alejandro Zelaya, also attended the event – “Restructuring the stadium will be akin to giving us back our identity as the venue holds great significance for all Salvadorans.”

The Government of President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador will execute the project in tandem with the Ministry of Public Works, the General Directorate of Penal Centers, through the Zero Leisure Plan, the Mayor’s Office of San Salvador, and INDES.

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