By Jaroslaw Adamowski
April 17 – Pogon Szczecin is planning to either modernise its stadium or build a new facility, according to Jaroslaw Mroczek, the chief executive of the Polish club.
“Over the next years, our aim is to play in the [Europa League]. The question of the stadium requires a final solution,” Mroczek told local sports daily Przeglad Sportowy.
One of the options currently being evaluated is the construction of a new facility in Kołbaskowo, a small municipality located about 10 kilometres from the city of Szczecin.
Should Pogon qualify for the Europa League next season, Pogon would not be able to host all its matches at the club’s stadium due to UEFA regulations, Mroczek said. Instead, the club’s squad would play at the stadiums in Warsaw and Lubin, both located several hundred kilometres from Szczecin.
Pogon’s last attempt at the European cups dates back to 2001.
“I don’t know how to explain to our fans that they will have to travel to Warsaw or Lubin for a match,” Mroczek said.
Mayor of Szczecin Piotr Krzystek has announced financial support for the investment on several occasions, but to date, the city has not awarded any funds to Pogon. Municipal authorities reportedly aim to award up to PLN 50 million (€12million) to Pogon should the club decide to expand and modernise its stadium.
In late 2013, Szczecin selected the winning design of a modernised stadium for Pogon. The project by local architectural firm headed by Janusz Pachowski fits the facility with a seating capacity of 19,741.
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