Barcelona’s much-anticipated return to their historic residence, the Spotify Camp Nou, has hit a delay till April 2025. Initially slated for the tip of 2024, the membership has now needed to push again the date. The stadium hit problems associated to the set up of important utilities reminiscent of water and electrical energy. This hold-up is a major blow to Barcelona, not simply when it comes to their soccer operations but in addition financially.
The Blaugrana had hoped to make a partial return to Camp Nou by the tip of 2024. The unique plan aimed to coincide with the membership’s a hundred and twenty fifth anniversary celebrations on Nov. 29. Nevertheless, this can now not be attainable attributable to unexpected logistical challenges. In accordance with a report by Relevo, development has been shifting ahead at a passable tempo. Nevertheless, essential infrastructure installations have brought about delays, making it unattainable for the staff to return as initially projected.
Regardless of the setback, the development firm Limak has been praised for his or her work on the stadium. The stadium’s rebuild started in June 2022. Since then, the Catalans have been taking part in their residence video games on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Though progress on the stadium itself is seen, it’s the behind-the-scenes work that has brought about the delay.
Barca President Joan Laporta had beforehand kept away from offering a agency timeline for the staff’s return. “We don’t need to set dates as a result of it’d occur later or it’d even occur earlier”, he defined in the summertime. Whereas he remained optimistic, stating, “Regardless of the obstacles, I imagine that by the tip of the yr we can come again,” it’s now clear that the return won’t occur till 2025.
Monetary implications of Camp Nou delay
Barcelona’s delayed return to the Camp Nou is not only a logistical difficulty. Enjoying on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys has price the membership a major sum of money. Estimates from final yr prompt that taking part in the 2023-24 season at their non permanent residence would lead to losses of round $100 million. There could be much less income and extra bills to organize the bottom for residence matches.
In the meantime, the general price of the Camp Nou renovation, a part of the bigger Espai Barca undertaking, has risen to an estimated $1 billion. This undertaking goals to modernize the membership’s complete facility infrastructure with a complete projected price of $1.7 billion.
The membership has not but obtained all of the licenses and permissions required to carry video games on the renovated stadium. It additional provides to the monetary burden. Along with securing validation from native authorities, Barcelona can even want clearance from UEFA and La Liga earlier than internet hosting any residence video games on the Spotify Camp Nou.
Ongoing neighborhood considerations
Whereas Barcelona is keen to complete the renovations, the local people across the stadium has voiced considerations concerning the undertaking, per The Athletic. The continued growth has had an incredible affect on the locals, notably these within the Travessera Les Corts district, who reside near Camp Nou. These blocks of flats are solely 35 meters from the stadium, and through the demolition section, mud and particles from the development broken their air-con models and left their facades lined in mud and pigeon droppings.
The development work has additionally led to tensions between the membership and residents over noise and disruptions. Whereas there’s an settlement to restrict noisy work to sure hours of the day, development across the clock has resumed. Evening work is now permitted, however with strict restrictions to forestall noise and lightweight air pollution. However, the disruptions have taken a toll on the group.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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