Lithuanian govt, Vilnius agree on funding of national stadium

Further details will be agreed during negotiations with the potential contractor, Axis Industries, part of the Icor group.

Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis and Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius said on Tuesday the national stadium project will continue after agreement was reached with Vilnius Municipality.

“Our key demand was that the main provision is not changed and the government pays for the project only after its finished and starts functioning,” the prime minister told journalists.

Moreover, it was agreed that all project-related contracts should be signed by the end of 2020 and the stadium starts operating in 2022.

Axis Industries proposes building the stadium for 79.9 million euros, in cooperation with Venetus Capital, Kauno arena and architectural firms Populous and Cloud Architektai.

The new complex will be a Category 4 UEFA stadium with the capacity of 15,000 people. Moreover, the sports complex will also include three outdoor football pitches, six basketball courts, a culture center, a library, a kindergarten and a national sports museum.

Representatives of Vilnius authorities say, all in all, around 73 million euros will be allocated for the stadium and only national funds will be used for the stadium. The government’s share will stand at 36.53 million euros, including 33.57 million euros for the stadium itself. The European Union will allocate 33.56 million euros, Vilnius authorities will invest 2.96 million euros.