Serie A side Empoli have unveiled plans for the latest upgrades to their Stadio Carlo Castellani.
The Tuscan arena currently holds just short of 20,000 spectators with a basic setup of two basic curvas and a pair of two-tiered sides, partially covered by a small roof.
The Azzurri hope to modernise the stadium, originally built in 1923, by enclosing the stadium with a complete roof structure that will close up the open corners of the Carlo Castellani, as shown on the club’s official Twitter.
Il progetto per il nuovo Castellani pic.twitter.com/skJ41hEZza
— Empoli Fc Official (@EmpoliCalcio) August 12, 2015
Empoli chief executive Francesco Ghelfi admitted that the removal of the current athletics track could pose problems with the stadium’s owner, the Municipality of Empoli, but believes the upgrade is necessary.
“If the Municipality stops investing in the stadium there will be much bitterness, their denial would reflect a lot about their desire to continue supporting us,” said Ghelfi to Sky Sport Italia.
“The stadium deserves an upgrade and it will cost under €10.5 million.
“Our timescale would be two seasons, and in the design we have taken Udinese’s [Stadio Friuli] as a model for renovation.”
