Work has begun that seeks to leave the El Teniente de Rancagua stadium with the necessary standard to host the FIFA U20 World Cup that will take place in September and October 2025.
Along with improving some facilities in the main building, such as radio booths, offices and the VIP lounge on the fourth floor – which had suffered damage in the last winter storm – works are being carried out on the playing field.
The green grass that, since the beginning of 2014, allowed the venue to be classified as one of the best apartments in the country, no longer exists. It was removed and work is being carried out to improve the primary layer of soil, subsequently continuing with all the work that will allow for a new field. The estimated time to complete this is April 2025.
UNLOCK MONEY
One of the points that put the organization in trouble was to quickly have resources that would allow it to move forward. In dialogue with “, presidential delegate Fabio López pointed out that the matter was unblocked and ultimately it will be the El Teniente Division that will provide the necessary money, which will be reintegrated in subsequent annual budgets.
“The biggest difficulty was that this stadium where the game is going to be played is not owned by the IND, nor by the municipality, but is owned by Codelco Chile, El Teniente Division. Therefore, we had to make the investments that we have always said. Apart from the field, the scoreboard, investments for example in improving the lighting and the issue was not the money, it was who made it. Finally, this was unblocked thanks to an effort carried out by our Minister of the Interior Carolina Tohá. Finally, it will be Codelco Chile El Teniente Division who will directly bear the expense. After that, through the Budget Law of subsequent years, these funds will be compensated or, in some way, reimbursed to the division.”
Likewise, the presidential delegate recalled that “it is an investment that will remain in the region, for our athletes and that is added to everything that is being done on the training fields and everything that is also related to the improvement of the city.”
For her part, from the Division, the head of Public Affairs, Alicia Reyes, pointed out that “Codelco El Teniente Division is committed from the first moment in the initiative of applying as a venue for the Under 20 Soccer World Cup and we have also been invited to a greater contribution to ensure that the region opens its doors in this world sporting event.”
What’s more, he said that “Codelco promised to do everything on its part to meet the deadlines.”
IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER PREMISES
Let us remember that FIFA also demands important improvements in three municipal facilities where works will be carried out.
In the Patricio Mekis complex, the grass will be changed on courts 1 and 4, as well as in the Oriente venue, popularly known as ANFA Court.
The improvements that were made in 2015 for the Copa América were left in the past, since the maintenance was not adequate and everything was lost. Therefore, we will have to work hard to get them back in optimal conditions for the training of the teams that will come to the city.