Reconstruction of the main arena of the Euro 2012 European Football Championship – Olympiysky National Sport Complex has cost Ukraine $560 million - 585 million, Deputy Prime Minister - Infrastructure Minister Borys Kolesnikov has said.
"When we complete the east stand, hospitality areas, approaches to the stadium – I will name the final amount. It cost somewhere between $560 million and $585 million, which, for the stadium with 70,050 seats is an acceptable amount," he said on Inter TV channel on Friday night.
Kolesnikov noted that the previous government had planned to spend UAH 1.2 billion on the stadium. "This is $150 million, but they have ordered the roof and facing worth $100 million right away, so the logic of planning is not clear. The government did not want to frighten the public, the crisis began. That is, there was no project of the stadium," he explained.
"They wanted to build a stadium in Warsaw intended for 55,000 (viewers) for $700 million, which is over EUR 500 million according to the then rate. They have already spent EUR 600 million and the stadium is not ready yet. It will be ready, most likely in spring… Donbass Arena was also first expected to cost $250 million, and was built for $419. When there is a project… Last time I was citing the example of Poland. I was sure that they will stay within their budget. But they will have to pay $150 million more," the vice prime minister said.
