Aleksandar Vučić spoke about the future of the Belgrade Arena and raised the question of what will happen to the venue in two years. As one possible solution, he mentioned a concession, meaning that a private partner would invest 50 million euros in its renovation.
“We build a sports hall and then never renovate it again. I am asking you now, what are we going to do with the Arena in two years? The best thing would be to give it to anyone under a concession, through a tender. Here you go, give 50 million euros, renovate it, and then manage it for the next 50 years,” Vučić emphasized.
The Belgrade Arena is located in Block 25 in New Belgrade, and its construction began in the early 1990s. The project by architect Vlada Slavica was developed as part of preparations for the 1994 FIBA World Championship, which Belgrade was supposed to host.
However, due to wars, sanctions and the economic crisis, construction was slowed down and interrupted, so the building process lasted considerably longer than originally planned.
Work intensified again in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the Arena was completed in 2004. It was officially opened on July 31, 2004, when it hosted the “Diamond Ball” basketball tournament.
Although it had already begun hosting major sporting and other events by then, it did not receive its occupancy permit until 2007, 15 years after construction began. The facility today covers around 48,000 square meters and can accommodate more than 18,000 spectators, depending on the configuration.
A special place in the Arena’s history is held by Eurovision 2008, while over the years it has hosted numerous European and world sporting competitions, major concerts and other events.
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Source: Mondo, Foto: Grad Beograd