In an official club statement, Real Madrid and the Madrid City Council have presented an agreement to launch the project to remodel the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and to improve the urban environment. The club also revealed renderings of a retractable roof for the stadium. The roof project will cost US$440m, reports The Guardian.
The event to announce the agreement, held in the press room of the Palacio de Cibeles, was attended by the president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez; the mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena; the delegate of the Sustainable Urban Development department, José Manuel Calvo; and councilor president of the Chamartin district, Mauricio Valiente. The was also a large attendance from the board of directors of Real Madrid.
Florentino Perez praised the importance of the agreement: “Today is a very important day for Real Madrid, for its fans, for its members, and for our city. It is a happy day for everyone because as a result of the consensus and this agreement, we will see a dramatic transformation of the Santiago Bernabéu. As we all know, this stadium is one of the emblematic icons of our city and we want to make it one of the best stadia in the world and the undisputed symbol of the strength of our capital.
“Our club has some everlasting values. The most important of all is that Real Madrid has no owner, it belongs only to its members, who are the people who mark the direction. For madridismo around the world, the Santiago Bernabéu is a place of emotions and an essential reference. With this agreement we will start a process of modernization and transformation that will convert the stadium in to an avant-garde architectural icon.
“This stadium will act as an economic and touristic invigorator and will contribute to strengthening the image of our city. This plan will also improve the whole area around of the stadium. The neighbors will be able to enjoy a more sustainable remodeled environment. During our 114-year history we have wanted to be at the high level of Madrid and its people. From today we are facing a new challenge. We will have the best stadium and we are doing it for Real Madrid, our fans and this city.”
“It’s a good agreement for the city of Madrid,” added Manuela Carmena. “I have great satisfaction to offer an important new agreement to Madrid and especially for what it means for the city and Real Madrid’s emblematic Bernabéu Stadium. We always want to go forward and the best procedure is to meet, listen and understand. This agreement is concluded and has been done to promote the modernization project of the stadium and improving the urban environment of our beloved Bernabéu.”
“The development will improve the stadium and the city,” said José Manuel Calvo. “This agreement has four cornerstones. On the one hand, the provision of more modern surroundings of the stadium that generates a uniform image to the stadium itself. It also provides covering of the stadium, which will improve the acoustic conditions of the venue. With this plan, a reorganization of the entire area will take place, the development will improve the stadium and the city.”
October 13, 2016
