New design and construction: Straight from the Black Sea coast

20.12.2016 04:34 source: StadiumDB.com; author: michał

It’s going to be one of Bulgaria’s best stadiums if not the very best. It took them long to get off the ground, but now it’s finally under construction and expected to be ready in late 2018.

History of the planned new football stadium in Varna dates back to 2006, when the impressive Cologne-alike concept of a 30,000-capacity venue was presented. The monumental complex would occupy the spot of old Stadion Varna and meet UEFA’s highest criteria (back then Elite, now Category 4).

Stadion Varna

It was to have four levels of underground parking, cascading main stairs in the south and numerous commercial facilities, like offices or a hotel. All of it written into the landscape, rising towards the north.

That stadium proved impossible to deliver, despite early clearing works being delivered south of the stadium. But after serious cost-cutting measures it finally moved forward in 2015, redesigned by the same architects.

Stadion Varna © Sport Complex Varna

Also simple and symmetric, with very similar spatial layout, even if somewhat smaller. Two levels of parking will be created in the south instead of four (still, 1,500 cars) and capacity decreased to 22,000, even if with ability to add further 6,000 if needed.

The stadium is being financed in a public-private partnership. The city of Varna owns 35% of shares in Varna Sport Complex, contributing to the project 15.4 hectares of land formerly occupied by the city’s largest stadium. Majority is owned by Chemimport (65%) and construction is delivered partly thanks to sale of land adjacent to the stadium.

Works were relaunched in 2015 and it’s expected that the rough structure will be complete by the end of 2017. Remainder of the work will last app. a year longer in order for the stadium to open in early 2019.

PFC Cherno More’s new stadium is expected to cost BGN 70-75 million, which translates to roughly $40 million. Thanks to the help of facebook profile Искам нов стадион за Варна you can now see construction updates from this project!