Athletic set for almost €35 million San Mamés outlay over 13 years | OneFootball

According to El Correo, Athletic will have invested almost €35 million in improving and equipping San Mamés across 13 years since its 2013 debut. Priority projects include the roof extension, museum, escalators and a singing section.

The stadium’s baptism came on 16 September 2013 with a 3-2 win over Celta, while the north stand remained unfinished. That end was completed for the Champions League play-off with Napoli on 27 August 2014. Early fixes addressed leaks, an exterior giant screen worth around €1 million and delayed window installations, with water ingress affecting about five per cent of the facade resolved by the club and San Mamés Barria.

Protecting fans from rain required a major roof extension undertaken in 2016 at a cost of €12.6 million, fully funded by Athletic. The canopy was lengthened by between 13 and 23 metres, improving coverage on wet days.

On 1 September 2017 the club opened its museum after a €3.6 million build. It houses more than 1,000 original items, 900 videos and 102 screens, offering an interactive walk through 128 years of history.

Interior lighting was upgraded to advanced LED and the pitch adopted a hybrid surface, a combined outlay of more than €2 million. 12 escalators easing access to higher tiers opened in October 2021 at nearly €3 million.

Aitor Elizegi’s board delivered the singing section, estimated at €3.5 million, inaugurated in August 2022 under president Jon Uriarte. The club now plans to add 2,440 seats to a current capacity of 53,331, with more than €9 million earmarked for the first two phases.

Source: El Correo

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