But it is still not known when the renovation of the west stand can start.

‘After 10 years of fighting, it is about time to finalise this facility.’ This was how Bojan Ban, business director of Maribor Football Club (NK Maribor), commented on the signing of the contract and the works which will start in a few days. Ban added: ‘I am looking forward to this and my only regret is that 800.000 euro investment was taken out of the project, investment for the area under the south stand, where a multi-purpose restaurant for athletes and a kitchen were planned.’

According to the municipality, they will try to sort this out via an amendment to the documentation, but this will need to be decided by the newly elected council. The renovated areas under the north and south stands will host a football school and a press centre, and part of the area will be earmarked for stadium operators and retail space. According to the contractors, work will begin in a few days. But it is still not known when the renovation of the stadium’s west stand, which is partly architecturally protected, can begin. The municipality is still waiting for a building permit.