Real Valladolid to redevelop Estadio José Zorrilla

Article posted by Coliseum, February 26^th, 2019

Image: realvalladolid.es

Spanish LaLiga football club Real Valladolid has reached an agreement in principle with the city council to expand its Estadio José Zorrilla, according to local media reports.

The announcement came after a meeting between Valladolid Mayor Óscar Puente, club president Ronaldo and chief executive Carlos Suárez. Brazilian football legend Ronaldo became the new majority owner of Real, which was founded in 1928, last year and officials recently spelled out their vision for the team over the next 90 years.

Opened in 1982, the Estadio José Zorrilla currently operates with a capacity of around 26,500. As per the proposed redevelopment plan, the stadium’s south stand will be completely rebuilt to add a further 4,100 seats, raising the total capacity up to around 31,000.But the implementation of the plan is subject to a final agreement on financial terms scheduled for March 6.

The project will also include the addition of new corporate boxes and comprehensive renovation of the stadium’s façade and access points.

Real currently sits 14th in LaLiga after being promoted from the Segunda Division last season. The project, estimated to cost €25 million, will go ahead regardless of the club’s league status and will be undertaken in phases lasting between 18 and 24 months.

“It’s not a mere face-lift because it’s going to affect both the inside and the outside of the stadium,” local newspaper El Norte de Castilla quoted Puente as saying. “It is true that there is no traffic problem but the accesses do have to be up to the task if we are going to improve the interior.”

Puente said the increase in capacity will help the stadium to host international competitions, but added: “It is clear that it will not be a Wanda (Metropolitano) or a San Mamés, but it (the renovation) will be a very important step.”

The stadium is city-owned and Puente added that authorities are open to a possible naming rights deal. The stadium is currently named after Valladolid-born poet, José Zorrilla y Moral. “We are favourable that it occurs whenever somebody approaches to contribute a considerable amount,” Puente said.

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