The Community of Madrid has announced a plan to upgrade Vallecas, which will transform the run-down venue into a modern sports and cultural centre. The decision shows how the Rayo president and the Madrid president have different views on the new stadium.

Modernisation in two stages - Ayuso's vision

Madrid's president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has announced that the modernisation work at Vallecas could be split into two distinct phases. The first, which has a budget of €2 million, will involve making basic improvements. These will focus on improving the safety of the infrastructure, allowing the stadium to pass the necessary technical checks. The first phase will remove signs of corrosion on the pillars and walls, renew structural beams and repair cracks in the walls. The plan also includes upgrading the toilets, repainting the stairs in the stands and installing new panels on the roof, renovating the beams. The suspended ceilings will also be replaced and galvanised sheet metal panels will be installed on the roof. All this work is to be carried out in a way that will not disrupt the playing of matches.

The second phase, planned for the next term of government, i.e. after 2027, will involve a major transformation of the stadium. Its aim is to adapt the facility to modern sporting and cultural requirements and increase its functionality. The project will also involve a significant expansion of the venue in the style of the capital's stadiums: Bernabeu and Metropolitano. Restaurants and bars will be adapted in the lower parts of the stadium, which will help to revitalise the area and create a meeting place for fans.

© brucki.blogspot.com | The President of Madrid plans to carry out a comprehensive modernization of Vallecas in two phases.

Currently, the stadium has a capacity of 15,000 spectators, but after modernisation, the number of seats is expected to increase to a limited extent, as Rayo's stadium is located between streets with nearby houses. Nevertheless, the stadium will meet the requirements of a team playing in the top division. The facility will also be adapted to host various cultural and sporting events such as concerts or shows.

Arguments in favour of new stadium - vision of Rayo's president

Although the Community of Madrid has pledged to keep the Vallecas stadium as Rayo's headquarters, the debate about the club's possible move is still ongoing. The team's president, Raúl Martín Presa, has expressed concerns about the stadium's limited space, which does not allow for all commercial and sporting needs.

The current state of the stadium also leaves much to be desired. Neglected toilets, littered stands and barriers full of bird droppings are causing dissatisfaction among fans, while visible cracks and fissures in the structure are a serious structural problem. Although the Community of Madrid has earmarked €2 million for the most urgent repairs, President Presa says such measures are not enough. Raúl Martín Presa argues that the lack of modern VIP areas and the stadium's limited capacity are preventing the club from generating sufficient revenue. During the shareholders' meeting, the president stated that the stadium's current situation would condemn Rayo to fall out of professional football. The modernisation plans have temporarily silenced talk of a move, but there is no shortage of discontent among fans and socios. Those in favour of staying in Vallecas point out that leaving it would be a blow to the Franjirrojos.