Estadio Nacional Jorge “El Mágico” González in El Salvador’s capital city, San Salvador, is set to undergo redevelopment through funding received as part of a loan deal agreed with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
Local media outlet ContraPunto said the National Institute of Sports of El Salvador (INDES) has agreed a $115.2m (£83.8m/€98.1m) loan with CABEI for sports infrastructure and development work in the country, with approximately $22m of this sum destined for the Estadio Nacional project.
Built in 1932, the stadium has a current capacity of around 35,000 and was renamed after legendary Salvadoran footballer, Jorge Alberto González Barillas, in 2006. A museum dedicated to González will form part of the renovation project.
Estadio Nacional is one of El Salvador’s main stadia and houses the country’s athletics, wrestling, bodybuilding, rowing and shooting federations. The redevelopment will include the development of new stands, a new pitch, athletics track, irrigation system, lighting and drainage, as well as improved access for people with disabilities.
El Salvador’s Minister of Finance, and president of the CABEI board of governors, Alejandro Zelaya, said: “We are taking a big step with this project by unveiling the design of the new stadium. It is something that gives us back our identity as Salvadorans and that pride that we have lacked.”
Demolition work is set to begin on site next month, with construction set to commence in February.
Image: INDES
