El Nuevo Gasómetro – stadium description

Estadio Pedro Bidegaín, commonly known as El Nuevo Gasómetro, is part of a major sports complex, Ciudad Deportiva – Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, located in the Bajo Flores district. Two large parking sites are available on the west and south sides of the plot. The complex lies beside the junction of three major avenues of Buenos Aires: Perito Moreno, Varela and Gral. Francisco Fernández de la Cruz. This ensures very good bus service, with nearest stops located just west of the stadium. Most of San Lorenzo’s sports city is located east of the stadium, including full size playing fields, tennis courts, hockey field and swimming pools.

The stadium has a very simple, structure with no outer cladding, visually resembling the old Gasómetro to some extent. Not entirely enclosed, it offers major gaps between the main (north) stand and neighbouring ends. Famous for steep incline, the single-tiered stands are fully independent and only the main one is covered. Floodlights are located atop the south stand and the north stand’s roof.

Construction of the stadium began in 1976, with 256 piles for the north stand being drilled into the ground. Work was halted, however, only to be relaunched in 1987. This is when the stadium’s proper documentation was prepared. In May of the following year analysis showed that the 12-year-old piles are still in good shape, good enough to bear the new main stand.

In March of 1989 the main stand’s tender process was carried out, won by Astori Estructuras S.A., allowing construction to begin in May. Despite sharp increase in inflation, work was carried out as planned. The grandstand was ready 7 months later, able to hold 5,742 people.

By the end of 1990, further work was carried out. Over the years a total of 5 contractors worked on the stadium, including Estudio de Obras y Fundactiones S.A.CI.F., Gielmec S.A., Riquelme S.A. and Agrícola Industrial Del Plata. In 1992 the main grandstand’s stability was tested by a group of supporters ordered to jump, delivering satisfying results. Early 1993 saw work on the playing field begin.

The stadium was opened to a crowd of ca. 40,000 people on December 16, 1993 against Chile’s Universidad Católica. The fixture ended with 2:1 victory of the home side. Interestingly, this wasn’t the first match played here, that title goes to domestic game against Belgrano de Córdoba (1:0). The very first goal was scored by Carlos Javier Netto. The new stadium’s official name, honouring Pedro Bidegain, one of Azulgrana’s first members and presidents, also the initiator of the construction of the old Gasómetro.

Since its completion, the stadium saw several upgrades, although without significant layout changes. In 1997 the main stand’s roof was delivered, while a decade later the north and south stands were renovated, including new sanitary facilities and capacity increase. In 2014, the floodlighting system was replaced by new LED lights from South Korea. Further repairs came in 2015/16, including new VIP spaces, players facilities and press area, as well as fresh paintwork of the stands.

The east stand is by far the most famous, known for being able to hold over 20,000 people and dedicated to the most vocal supporters. Combined with the northern entrance used for ceremonial marches into the stadium, this is where the stadium’s heart beats. Where amazing atmosphere can be created, using musical instruments, umbrellas, scarves, flags and many more utensils. No wonder fans focused around this stand are known as La Gloriosa hinchada.