The Local Government Board is set to approve the first modification of the construction contract for the new Gol stand at Balaídos, which will increase its capacity to 7,139 seats. This change will also adapt the structure and evacuation systems in response to various circumstances encountered during the construction process.
Mayor Abel Caballero announced the details of this modification, which includes a total budget increase of €599,613.43. He explained that the adjustments were necessary due to unforeseen conditions that required alterations to the initial project, resulting in some budget increases and reductions.
“First, we will have greater capacity,” the mayor stated. The redesigned Gol stand will follow the principles applied in the recent expansion of the Marcador stand, featuring a new overall design of the concrete structure, with adaptations to foundations, structures, flooring, electrical installations, and lighting, as well as an extended elevator route.
The modification will increase the stand's capacity from the initially planned 6,418 seats to 7,139, adding 721 new seats. This increase necessitates enhancements to evacuation conditions, including the construction of a new emergency staircase next to the Gol-4 access, which will provide a new exit route for spectators.
Additionally, the modification considers the future transformation of the Tribuna stand. The original Gol project included extending the porticoed structure in front of Tribuna, creating a continuous covered corridor of over 300 metres. However, due to the upcoming expansion of the Tribuna for the 2030 World Cup, the Concello has decided to postpone this part of the project to avoid unnecessary investment that would later need to be dismantled.
Other adjustments within the modification will also help reduce costs, including changes due to subsurface conditions and sanitation networks, as well as the removal of the initially planned provisional tarpaulin, which is no longer needed following the installation of a temporary stand during construction.
Financially, the contractual modification entails an increase of €272,987.71, along with €326,625.72 for measurement variations, bringing the total increase to €599,613.43. Consequently, the cost of the new Gol stand rises from the awarded contract amount of €24,821,940 to €25,421,553.43, representing an increase of 2.42%. Caballero emphasised that this increase allows for “substantial improvements” such as increased capacity, structural adaptations, and enhanced evacuation systems.
