March 3 – Russia’s moves to reduce construction costs as they prepare for the 2018 World Cup in the face of a collapse of the ruble against the dollar, have resulted in more proposals for stadium cost-cutting and a reduction in the number of training sites for teams that qualify.
Rostov region minister Nikolay Bezuglov, said that the currency crisis have resulted in proposals being made to cut the cost of Rostov’s stadium construction by Rubles 3 billions ($48 million).
This amount of cost cutting could be achieved by withdrawing the solid embankment of the stadium turning it into terracing, as well as simplifying the roof structure, said Bezuglov. The stadium’s capacity will be reduced by 10,000 following the World Cup to 35,000.
By changing the construction specification, it is expected that cheaper materials can be sourced. The final decision on cost-cutting is pending with Russia’s Ministry of Sports.
Bezuglov was critical of reports saying that the stadium construction was seven months behind schedule, saying: “I want to assure you that there is no lag. It is built at a good pace and in a normal way.”
World Cup training sites reduced
The number of training sites being prepared for teams in Russia in 2018 are being reduced from 48 to 37. The document, specifying the changes, was agreed with the Russian Sports Ministry, FIFA and signed by Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev.
Also as part of the cost cutting measures FIFA has agreed to the reduction in capacity of two stadiums. New build stadiums in Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg stadiums will now have capacity reduced from the originally planned 45,000 seats to 35,000.
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