The Oțelul Stadium, a historic venue in Galați where FC Oțelul Galati plays its home games, has been put up for auction. However, the procedure was unsuccessful, with no bidders present to purchase the stadium. The bidding process, which started at €3.515.797 (excluding VAT), aimed to sell the entire sports complex, including the stadium, training and playing fields, dressing rooms, accommodation building, annexes, and night lighting system. Despite the expressed warning that the destination of the property cannot be changed, the lack of interest from potential investors was not unexpected.
The Oțelul Stadium’s unique feature is its capacity to host a large number of spectators, with 13,500 seats available. The stadium has a rich history, having been inaugurated on March 30, 1982, and later renovated in 2006. The modernization included the reconstruction of the playing surface, stands, and dressing rooms. In 2011, the stadium received certification from the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) for its night lighting system.
The Liberty Group, which owns the stadium, has been struggling financially, with a total debt of €1.2 billion, including €400 million owed to the Romanian state. As a result, the municipality of Galați has expressed its intention to take ownership of the stadium in exchange for settling part of the debt. The procedure has been a necessary step for the municipality to gain control of the stadium.
**The Road to Municipal Ownership**
The auction was a crucial step in the municipality’s plan to take ownership of the stadium. According to Remus Borza, the administrator of Liberty, the municipality’s interest in the stadium is minimal due to the fixed destination, and no potential buyers were present at the auction. Nevertheless, the administrator believes that the stadium will eventually be transferred to the municipality as part of the debt settlement process.
The stadium is currently subject to two mortgages, one held by the municipality and the other by the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF). The municipality plans to consolidate its mortgage and take ownership of the stadium through a “dare in plat” mechanism, which will allow them to settle part of the debt owed to the local budget.
The Oțelul Stadium is a significant symbol of the city’s sporting heritage, having hosted the team that won the Romanian championship in the 2010-2011 season. The stadium’s rich history and capacity make it an attractive asset for the municipality, which will likely become its new owner in the near future.
**The Future of the Oțelul Stadium**
The Oțelul Stadium’s future is uncertain, but it is likely that the municipality will take ownership of the stadium in the coming months. The stadium’s rich history and capacity make it a valuable asset for the city, and the municipality’s interest in taking ownership is a positive step towards preserving the stadium’s legacy.