Spain: Demolition date for last stand of "old" Balaidos already set

source: StadiumDB.com; author: Miguel Ciołczyk Garcia

Spain: Demolition date for last stand of Work began Tuesday on the Gol Stand, the demolition of which will allow the completion of Celta Vigo's stadium redevelopment, which has been dragging on since 2015. The city's mayor gave details of the work.

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96 years of blue history

On December 30, 1928, at around 3 pm, the players of the formed five years earlier Celta Vigo, appeared for the first time on the turf of Estadio Balaídos to beat Real Unión de Irún 7:0. The opening of the stadium, with a capacity of about 22,000, was a major event for Galician sports. Since then, the facility has served continuously as the home of Celestes. Over the course of 96 years, it has hosted Champions League or 1982 World Cup games as well as third division matches.

Balaídos underwent its first modernization in 1946, followed by others between 1969-71 and 1981-82 (just before the World Cup). The current one, underway since 2015, is much more serious. The project, called Balaidos of the 21st Century, involves building entirely new stands behind the goals and giving the facility a typically soccer-like configuration.

Three of the four phases of the project have already been carried out. The Tribuna and Rio have been rebuilt, the Marcador has been demolished and built from scratch, and all three stands have been enclosed with a blue corrugated facade. Of the old Balaidos, all that remains is the Gol stand - single-level, with a concrete roof and well away from the playing area (a remnant of the athletics track).

The Gol stand currently has a capacity of 4,000.© Miguel Ciolczyk Garcia | The Gol stand currently has a capacity of 4,000.

Adios, old Balaidos

On Tuesday, however, preparatory work began on this stand as well, for the final phase of redevelopment, which according to planners will take 23 months. This means that the modernization, which began in 2015, will be completed in January 2027, after 12 years. Gol will be a two-level structure and will be 8.5 meters from the playing field, with a capacity of 6,400 seats.

However, the old structure has to be completely demolished to make this possible. As Mayor Abel Caballero announced to the media on Monday, this will happen in early April. The club, in turn, announced that the last match with fans in the Gol stand will be Celta - Osasuna on February 21.

The Gol stand will be demolished in April to be replaced by a new structure. Pictured is work on its twin, Marcador, in 2021.© Alex | The Gol stand will be demolished in April to be replaced by a new structure. Pictured is work on its twin, Marcador, in 2021.

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