Construction of the long-delayed National Stadium and multipurpose complex in Vilnius is picking up pace after resuming in July, city officials say, though questions remain over permits and transparency.
The project, overseen by developer Hanner under a concession agreement, includes an 18,000-seat stadium, a football-training field, conference halls, an athletics stadium, a kindergarten and a sports centre with an arena. While a building permit for the arena had yet to be issued, Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas said the work was proceeding on schedule.
“The goal is to prove to Vilnius residents and Lithuanians that a stadium can be built – even when some say the land is cursed,” Hanner CEO Arvydas Avulis told reporters, calling the project a personal ambition.
The stadium’s foundations are already in place. Heavy machinery and cranes will soon be deployed, and until November passersby should see the first visible structures rising, according to city officials.
Plans also call for a major overhaul of the busy Ukmerges and Ozo street junction near the site. Benkunskas emphasised that the transport redesign prioritised pedestrians, bicycles, scooters and public transit over private cars.
The stadium and complex carry a price tag of 155 million euros, though the additional cost of the transport upgrades is not yet clear. Lithuania’s Public Procurement Office found this summer that the concession agreement initially lacked sufficient guarantees from builders, breaching transparency rules.
“Everything has now been corrected and meets all requirements,” Benkunskas said.
Avulis stressed that both budget and deadlines would be met: “If we fail to deliver, we will pay millions in penalties to the municipality.”
But opposition city council member Aleksandras Nemunaitis said the process still lacked transparency.
“The public must know that if the project is not completed by a certain date, which bank has provided a guarantee, its size, and what compensation will be paid to the municipality,” he said.
According to Mayor Benkunskas, the city will only pay the developer once the stadium is completely finished. The handover is planned for the end of 2027. (LRT)