Real estate (NT) development companiesMales" Chairman of the Board Arvydas Avulis says that with the approval of the European Commission (EC). National Stadium for the project, construction work would begin immediately. He expects the EC's answer to be received in early October, with the stadium set for construction in 2027. in the middle
"We still need to get the approval of the European Commission. As soon as it is received, then I think we will start the construction work immediately. (…) The shortest period within which the European Commission can give an answer is one month. I think that in the best case it can be the beginning of October, and I don't even want to predict the worst and I don't even want to talk about it," A. Avulis told reporters on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the "Hanner-VFA" football stadium.
"We will wait as long as necessary (EC's response - ELTA). A big project, a big goal, no one can build it for 37 years, so you have to fight for that big goal," he noted.
According to A. Avulis, by 2026 it is no longer possible to implement the end project, however National Stadium could be built in 2027 in the middle
"Sorry, not possible (To have the stadium built by the end of 2026 - ELTA). We had to work in the summer, and then we didn't do anything. The winter cycle for construction is very bad, at least half a year will need to be extended. It is possible to say in the middle (2027 - ELTA), but it is difficult to predict something because we do not know when we will start. Patience is needed," said Hanner's board chairman.
At the end of August Vilnius city municipalities for the third time this year, the council approved the changes foreseen in the project of the multi-purpose complex of the capital, which includes the National Stadium.
Taking into account the comments of the Public Procurement Service (PPS), the capital city council decided to "deduct" the costs of new property creation from the indexed amount, as well as to redistribute the contribution of the municipality and the construction company due to the risk matrix and unforeseen circumstances.
VPT assures that after the changes in the project, they no longer have any significant comments. However, the service notes that the position may change, depending on the conclusion of the EC and possible new data.
The initial cost of the project was 156 million. after adding indexed construction and additional works and deducting borrowing interest, the project costs 900 euros. euros.
However, Artūras Zuokas, the leader of the opposition of the capital city council, assured that he did not approve of the project and noted that if his and his like-minded suggestions were taken into account, the process would proceed much faster.
In order for the work to begin, the conclusion of the EC is still awaited.
The project of the National Stadium in Vilnius from the manager of capital funds "BaltCap"is going to be taken over by the real estate development company Hanner. Its owner, Arvydas Avulis, indicates that the construction of the stadium could be completed by the end of 2026. According to the mayor of the capital Valdas Benkunskas, the actual cost of construction alone from 2020 beginning until 2022 increased by 40 percent.
The entire multifunctional complex includes the National Stadium with a sports museum inside, a sports center with basketball, handball, gymnastics, and boxing halls, three football training fields, an international category athletics stadium with a football field, an athletics warm-up area with throwing sectors, a cultural center with a library and Kindergarten with 300 places.
It is estimated that the cost of construction works increased by 27,1 million. euros, new works would also contribute (3 thousand additional seats in the stadium and a universal arena), that is 13 million. euros. However, it is stated that 38,1 million euros could be saved by borrowing for only 2 years, instead of 22 years, as previously planned.
Ignas Dobrovolskas (ELTA)
