Adjara’s economy minister confirmed that the 20,000-capacity stadium in Batumi is ready for groundbreaking. Contractor will be selected later this year.

Ramaz Bolkvadze, Economy Minister of the autonomous republic of Adjara, confirmed late last week that the Batumi stadium project is progressing as planned.

“The Georgian football federation and construction supervision office already approved the design. Announcement of the construction tender will follow as the next stage”, Bolkvadze said. The tender should end later this year and result in groundbreaking by the end of 2016.

Designed by Turkish architect Bahadir Kul, the 20,000+ stadium is inspired by local traditional dance. Budget estimates so far are very modest, claimed to be only 25 million lari (just over $10 million). Final price should be established during construction tender, but building a stadium of this size and standard (UEFA Category 4) with as little money would be a major achievement.

Initial construction schedule was hoped to be 2016-2017, but late groundbreaking will result in delayed opening. Current plan names 2019 as the delivery date.