VPT: the municipality took into account only part of the comments regarding the National Stadium project

The Public Procurement Service (VPT) assures that it has familiarized itself with the changes presented by the capital city municipality in the project of the multifunctional stadium, which includes the National Stadium. According to the assessment of the service, the Vilnius authorities took into account only part of the changes, and regarding the comments that were not taken into account, the VPN will contact the institution hoping for explanations.

“Having familiarized ourselves with the changes planned by the Vilnius City Municipality, which it spoke about publicly, we see that some of the VPT’s suggestions and recommendations have been taken into account,” said Evelina Butkutė-Lazdauskienė, senior advisor of the Public Procurement Service, in a comment sent to Elta.

“We inform you that we will contact the awarding authorities in order to get acquainted with the arguments why some of the VPN’s comments were not taken into account and then we will decide on further actions,” she noted.

Vilnius city municipality administration announced at the end of April that it will adjust the project of the multifunctional complex, which includes the National Stadium. Taking into account the evaluation of VPN, the intensity of investment indexation will be reduced.

It is indicated that 157.25 million was approved by the municipality in February. The value of the project will decrease to EUR 157.23 million. EUR – the expected need for budget funds will be 25 thousand. euros lower than before corrections.

During negotiations on the indexation of investments of the multifunctional complex and the price of additional works, the costs of construction financing were also decided.

“During the negotiations, the concessionaire agreed to give a discount to the construction financing costs during construction and reduced them from 6.37 percent. up to 5.25 percent per year”, the municipality reported.

As stated in the published report, due to the expected reduction in the intensity of investment indexation, the concessionaire will refuse construction financing discounts granted to the Vilnius municipality and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (ŠMSM), as a result of which the total need for public funds will change minimally – to the lesser half in favor of the municipality and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (ŠMSM).

The Vilnius City Council meeting is scheduled for May 15. The conclusion of the European Commission is expected to be received by the summer, the municipality said.

ELTA reminds that at the end of February, the Vilnius City Municipal Council approved the changes foreseen in the multifunctional project of the capital.

The real estate development company Hanner intends to take over the project of the national stadium in Vilnius from the capital fund manager BaltCap. Its owner, Arvydas Avulis, indicates that the construction of the stadium could be completed by the end of 2026. According to the mayor of the capital Valdas Benkunskas, the actual cost of construction alone from 2020 beginning until 2022 increased by 40 percent.

The entire multifunctional complex includes the National Stadium with a sports museum inside, a sports center with basketball, handball, gymnastics, boxing halls, three football training fields, an international category athletics stadium with a football field, an athletics warm-up area with throwing sectors, a cultural center with a library and Kindergarten with 300 places.

According to V. Benkunskas, after indexing, the National Stadium with the entire multifunctional complex should cost approximately 1.2 million. euros more than previously planned, ie 157.2 million. euros. It is estimated that construction works became more expensive by 27.1 million. euros, new works would also contribute (3 thousand additional seats in the stadium and a universal arena), ie 13 million. euros. However, it is stated that 38.1 million euros could be saved by borrowing for only 2 years, instead of 22 years, as previously planned.