Features

New arena planned for Medellín

Authorities in the Colombian city of Medellín are planning the construction of a new arena that would tie in with the redevelopment of Estadio Atanasio Girardot.

Colombian newspaper El Tiempo said Agencia APP is behind the arena project that intends to develop a 16,000-capacity facility on the site of the Estadio Cincuentenario sports fields. Agencia APP is a government body for landscape management, heritage and public-private partnerships.

A construction budget of COP87bn (£17.9m/€20.4m/$24.6m) has been set out for the arena, with Agencia APP director, Rodrigo Foronda, stating the project is in its early stages with pre-feasibility reports set to be assessed on February 8.

“The essence of the arena is the technical characteristics that are much more competitive than what Medellín has today,” said Foronda. “We have a number of problems with current venues in terms of capacity, lighting, security and sound. The aim of this project is to correct all those shortcomings that the city has and give the city a completely world-class facility.”

Agencia APP estimates that construction on the new arena could begin in early 2022, with Foronda also giving an update on the stadium project. In October, it was revealed that Estadio Atanasio Girardot is set to undergo extensive redevelopment after a project was presented by Mayor Daniel Quintero.

The City of Medellín owns the stadium, which is part of a wider sports complex, and the facility houses Categoría Primera A football clubs Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. The stadium has a current capacity of around 40,043 following renovations conducted for the city’s staging of the 2010 South American Games and hosting of games at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

APP Agencia is also involved in this project, and is currently conducting feasibility studies with a view to a contract for the redevelopment being awarded in November. The capacity of the stadium will be increased and its comfort levels enhanced, while it is set to feature an illuminated façade.

Photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roof to generate energy, while the new-look stadium will recycle rainwater for its own use. Foronda added: “The feasibility study points to compliance with more than 95% of FIFA requirements.

“We are going to do a renovation of the (corporate) boxes, dressing rooms and public spaces. Urban planning will be spectacular, with the stadium having a luminous façade throughout the day.”

Image: seth pipkin/CC BY-SA 2.0/Edited for size