By Jaroslaw Adamowski
August 18 – Empoli, one of the few Italian Serie A clubs that do not come from a provincial capital city, has unveiled €11 million redevelopment plans that include the expansion of its Stadio Carlo Castellani capacity from 16,800 up to 20,000.
In addition, the refurbishment will see all the stands covered with a roof, as well as the creation of additional commercial and retail space at the stadium.
The Italian club says that the project will be completed over a two year period of, enabling the stadium to be ready for the 2017/2018 season. Funding for the planned investment will come from from private investors.
Included in the stadium development plans are an extension of the club’s lease. “We need to secure the right to operate this land plot for a period of 99 years,” said Francesco Ghelfi, the chief executive of Empoli.
Club representatives say that the project has been sent to the city’s municipal authorities which are currently reviewing it.
In the 2014/2015 Serie A season Empoli finished 15th out of the 18 sides in the league, just one position above the relegation zone.
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