Over the past year, Celta Vigo's motto has become “against wind and waves”. However, “and rain” should be added to this, as Galicia is the region in Spain where it rains most often, with rainfall flooding the Estadio Abanca Balaídos every few months. However, the city has decided to spend considerable resources to prevent flooding.

€300,000 to combat water

More than once and more than twice Celta Vigo's matches at Estadio Abanca Balaídos have been postponed by floods that inundate the stadium and the surrounding area after heavy rains. Flooded changing rooms, club offices and corridors are not surprising for a club accustomed to Galicia's rainy climate. Contra vento e marea (against wind and waves in Galician) is, after all, Celestes’ unofficial motto.

However, flooding causes major logistical and financial problems, so the city has decided to take countermeasures. Mayor Abel Caballero announced that Vigo's Local Government Council has approved a project to improve sanitation around the stadium to redirect rainwater to avoid its accumulation.

© Miguel Ciołczyk Garcia

The work will cost almost €300,000. It will be covered entirely by the city, which owns the facility, although in July it announced it would guarantee the club the right to play at Balaídos until 2080.

At the same time, work is being carried out to improve the area around the stadium at the north (Marcador) and east (Tribuna) stands. A replacement of the turf and repairs to the drainage system in recent weeks has also been carried out recently. The club and the city hope that the work will avoid a repeat of last season's famous problems with the pitch after a Guns n' Roses concert that have recently turned into a court battle.