Santos begin Vila Belmiro expansion, project budgeted at up to R$ 80 million | OneFootball

Santos have begun work to expand Vila Belmiro, starting on the Cosmo Damião stand used by organised supporters. The project is costed between R$ 70 million and R$ 80 million, with completion targeted for December.

According to Globo.com, the wider plan adds new hospitality boxes, shops and a food court for seven restaurants, plus new lifts, entrances and a ticket office. A LED facade panel is planned at the Princesa Isabel and Tiradentes junction, measuring three metres by 12 metres.

President Marcelo Teixeira said the focus is greater comfort and safety with sizeable expansion, and the works will be submitted to the Fire Department and Military Police. He noted the Fire Department’s AVCB lists a little over 20,000 places, while the club sells a little over 17,000. Capacity in Cosmo Damião is planned to almost double from 3,000 to nearly 6,000, increasing ticket allocation and official capacity.

After inspections, Teixeira hopes to secure an official allocation above 20,000, intends to take the AVCB figure to up to 21,000, and aims slightly higher for CBF and Conmebol purposes.

Workers began breaking steps while another team conducted soil surveys for the hospitality foundations. Teixeira said the phased works should not interrupt matches, with construction largely external and only some areas isolated.

He reiterated the upgrade does not change the board’s priority to build a new arena on the site with WTorre. In April, ge reported the construction firm asked to suspend contract signing until an issue with BTG Pactual is resolved.

Source: Globo.com