© EuroFootball.com
The first stage of the Lithuanian Football Federation stadium reconstruction is complete. The new stadium pitch will be tested this Saturday by the returning home team VMFD "Žalgiris" - the Vilnius team will test their strength in the reconstructed stadium in a match against the team from "Klaipėda". On this occasion, all football fans are invited to watch the match for free.
New generation artificial turf - for all of Vilnius football
The reconstruction of the LFF stadium began this summer - in the first stage, a new generation artificial turf was laid. The pitch at the stadium was installed according to the project of 10 standard-sized artificial turf pitches of the LFF.
According to the President of the LFF, Liutauras Varanavičius, when choosing the stadium turf, the priority was given to the massiveness of football in Vilnius.
"Football enthusiasts in Vilnius know very well how difficult it is to find a place for training or matches. Therefore, the only logical choice was an artificial turf pitch, where you can play or train all day, not just a few times a week, as dictated by the conditions for maintaining natural grass," said Varanavičius. - I hope this is just the first step in developing football infrastructure in the capital.
According to the President of the LFF, the optimistic attitude of the Vilnius city leaders towards football development in the capital is encouraging. "Finally, the design work for the football complex in Naujoji Vilnia has started, and Vilnius Mayor Artūras Zuokas personally visited the LFF stadium and positively evaluated the new pitch, which was installed in an optimally short time."
According to the General Director of the LFF, Julius Kvedaras, efforts will be made to ensure that this pitch meets the needs of all those who want to play football.
"We will prioritize children. While the stadium reconstruction works are ongoing, the possibilities and conditions for using the pitch may be limited, but we believe that in the future, the pitch will be occupied from 8 in the morning until 11 in the evening," said Kvedaras.
Vilnius - the fifth city with a full-size LFF donated pitch
The modern artificial turf pitch at the stadium was installed in an exceptionally short time - compared to the usual process of installing turf - in order for A league matches to be held in Vilnius. Due to the lack of stadiums and infrastructure, the "Žalgiris" team had to play home matches in Kaunas, Marijampolė, or Alytus until now.
It is expected that the LFF stadium artificial turf pitch will receive the highest quality assessment from the International Football Association Federation (FIFA) in the coming months, allowing almost all important FIFA and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) tournaments to be hosted on the pitch - for example, UEFA Champions League matches up to the semi-finals.
According to the 8 million euro project for standard artificial turf pitches, the LFF donated new generation pitches to a total of 10 Lithuanian regions. Last year, artificial turf was already laid in Gargždai, Kėdainiai, Kaunas, and Panevėžys, preparatory work is being done in Tauragė, Alytus, and other cities have plans for the same.
The LFF aims to have ten FIFA-quality standard modern artificial turf pitches in Lithuania by 2012. The Lithuanian football strategy for the years 2010-2020 plans to install 300 standard-sized natural or artificial turf pitches in the country.
Reconstruction works will continue until next spring
Alongside the pitch installation at the LFF stadium, other reconstruction works are also taking place. The entire main stand is planned to be covered, various spaces for match participants, media, VIP guests will be expanded or renovated, seating areas will be updated, and other work will be done.
"The old construction wisdom that building a new object is faster and cheaper than reconstructing an old one is proving true. During the stadium reconstruction, unforeseen work and obstacles emerged, which even led to adjustments to the stadium project. However, we are doing everything to ensure that the stadium is fully prepared for the next football season," said Edvinas Eimontas, LFF Deputy General Director coordinating the project.
The reconstruction works are planned to be completed by next spring, after which the stadium infrastructure will meet the requirements of UEFA Category 3. This category of stadium allows for international national team matches to be held, as well as further UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying matches. Currently, there is no UEFA Category 3 stadium in Lithuania.
According to the reconstruction project, in the future, the stadium could also be adapted to meet the requirements of UEFA Category 4 - expanding the seating capacity to up to 8,000 spectators. Plans also include a space for a smaller football field.
Last year, the LFF retained the former "Lokomotyvo" and "Vėtros" named stadium for football needs by redeeming it from the "DnB Nord" bank, to which the stadium had fallen due to financial obligations not met by the "Vėtra" club. The stadium is one of the few in Lithuania dedicated solely to football.
