Real Madrid: Work on new Bernabéu continues in spite of coronavirus
While most work in the capital has been put on hold, the construction of Real Madrid’s stadium continues to tick along as normal.
Work of all kinds has been reduced considerably in Spain following the government’s declaration of a state of alarm due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, work on the Bernabéu continues as normal as could be seen by the few people who were out on La Castellana yesterday. So if most shops and businesses have been forced to close for the next two weeks, why is construction work on the Bernabéu allowed to continue? The answer is simple, as a club source explained to AS: "Construction work in Spain hasn’t been affected". The club has given instructions to FCC, the construction company in charge of undertaking the ambitious remodelling programme on Madrid’s stadium, to adhere to all of the health and safety protocols to reduce the risk of any workers becoming infected.
Bernabéu works at crucial point
At the moment, work on Bernabéu has entered a new, important phase – four huge cranes, situated in the four corners of the stadium, have been dismantling the canopy and well as knocking down towers B and C on the main façade. This is the preparation work for the next stage of the remodelling Project – construction and attachment of the retractable roof; once finished, that will allow all further work to continue with the Bernabéu totally covered and shielded from rain as well as the sun on days when there is excessive heat. Seeing as Madrid have had no home games since El Clásico on 1 March and with all competitions temporarily suspended, FCC and Real Madrid have agreed to make the most of the situation to ensure that the project forges ahead at a brisker pace to gain time if there are any new delays further down the line.
Work on the new Bernabéu began last summer, after the club secured a loan for 575 million euros with a fixed interest rate of 2.5% and without the need to provide a bank guarantee. That means that Madrid don’t have to start paying off the loan until 30 July 2023 – when the job is completed. The club will then pay the first instalment – followed by annual payments of 29.5 million euros until 2049. The new stadium should be finished by August 2022, then there will be a further four month of work on the surrounding area (there will be a garden for public where the old Bernabéu ‘Esquina ‘shopping centre previously stood).
Among the new features which the remodelled Bernabéu will boast will be a latest generation electronic scoreboard which will run along the diameter of the ground as well as access and seat for disabled people. The east stand will be expanded while the VIP zone will be renovated and expanded with seating for an additional 2,100 guests.
FCC worked on the Wanda Metropolitano
FCC won the tender to perform remodelling work on the Bernabéu because of their experience in working on football stadiums. The company built the Wanda Metropolitano, which gained praise from UEFA in their quality assessment report. FCC were also contracted t build Bayern Munich’s impressive Allianz Arena, which replaced the old Olympic stadium. Other projects include Warsaw’s National Stadium and Stadion Energa Gdańsk, one of the designated venues which held games at Euro 2012.