© EuroFootball.com
The stadium of the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) in Vilnius will become the country's only stadium where international national football team matches can be held until next year. UEFA has approved solid support for the reconstruction project, and the first work on the stadium has already begun. It is planned to install an artificial turf field, which is expected to be used by the capital's football teams this summer.
Meeting international requirements
The reconstruction project of the LFF stadium includes updating the stadium to meet UEFA 3rd category requirements. According to UEFA stadium rules, official national team matches can only be held in stadiums with a status of not lower than 3rd category. Since none of the stadiums in our country have such a category, the Lithuanian national team played EURO 2012 qualifier matches in Kaunas on an exceptional basis.
LFF is preparing to solve this long-standing problem by reconstructing the "Vėtra" stadium saved for football purposes last year.
According to LFF President Liutauras Varanavičius, the expansion of this stadium is currently the most realistic and fastest solution, which would also be a significant boost for football in the capital.
"If everything goes according to plan, by the end of the year we will have a stadium that meets international requirements. It is very necessary not only for the national team but also for Vilnius football teams. Both professionals and amateurs or children will be able to play or train at the stadium. By installing an artificial turf field, there will no longer be a need to worry about poor weather conditions, as happened in many places this year," said the head of LFF.
Artificial turf field for professionals and amateurs
The preliminary budget for the first phase of the reconstruction project is almost 10 million litas. International LFF partners will significantly contribute to the project.
Last Friday, the UEFA "HatTrick" program committee approved the application submitted by LFF. According to it, UEFA will allocate 2.38 million euros (approximately 8 million litas) for the stadium reconstruction. Additional funds are expected to be received from the FIFA GOAL program.
Initially, standard-sized artificial turf will be installed at the LFF stadium, with plans to expand and renovate the smaller artificial turf field next to the main pitch. Almost all year round, both professionals and amateurs or children could play and train on these fields.
According to LFF project manager Edvinas Eimontas, the final details of the entire reconstruction project are currently being negotiated, and drainage and foundations are being prepared for the installation of the field.
"We really want to lay the artificial turf as quickly as possible so that games can be played on it. However, we cannot start with these works immediately because after installing a new field, there would be no way for construction vehicles to access the site. The installation of the field should take about 2-3 months," explained Eimontas.
If everything goes smoothly, the artificial turf field is planned to be installed by August so that A League matches can be held there. At the same time, other reconstruction works at the stadium would be ongoing.
By the end of the year - A plethora of works
Considering the recommendations of UEFA experts and the licensing department of LFF, various works will be carried out at the stadium to meet the UEFA 3rd category requirements.
It is planned to cover the entire main grandstand with a roof, expand and renovate facilities for match participants and administration, improve lighting and install a backup electric generator, expand facilities for media representatives, their workspaces, and the press conference hall, improve entrance gates and the surveillance camera system, upgrade sanitary facilities for spectators, provide places for disabled persons, increase the VIP stand and parking area.
These works are planned to be completed by the end of the year. A League matches could be held at the stadium during the reconstruction, but it is unlikely that the Lithuanian national team will be able to hold official matches there this year. There are less than five months left until the last EURO 2012 qualifier match against Czech Republic.
Future plans - greater capacity and an indoor arena
After the start of the first stage of reconstruction works, a vision for further stadium development is planned. By expanding the eastern grandstand, which would be covered with a roof, the stadium's capacity would increase to 8,000 seats (current capacity - about 5,400 seats). An indoor football arena of reduced dimensions would be installed instead of the small training field.
After these improvements are made, the stadium could meet UEFA 4th category requirements. After implementing them, UEFA Champions League or Europa League matches could be held at the stadium from the group stage to the semi-finals.
According to L.Varanavičius, LFF does not rule out the possibility of adjusting these future plans based on the development of other projects.
"Lithuania and Vilnius need to have a stadium that meets international requirements, so we will do everything possible to achieve this in the near future. However, if real stadium reconstruction or construction works were to start in the capital, we would consider the possibility of changing our plans," said the LFF president.
He was pleased that football infrastructure projects in the capital are starting to move forward. One such project is the Vilnius Football Academy complex in Naujoji Vilnia, which has been stuck for years due to bureaucratic obstacles. "In recent years, we have been waiting for funds to be allocated for the preparation of the technical project. It's gratifying that the Vilnius City Municipality and the Department of Physical Culture and Sports have finally done so," said L.Varanavičius.
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