(ATR) A current work stoppage at the Rio Olympic Stadium will not affect the timeline for necessary Games construction, Around the Rings has learned.
The 60,000 seat stadium is being renovated as the venue for athletics at Rio 2016. Originally built for the 2007 Pan American Games, construction works began on the venue soon after to repair structural deficiencies in the roof.
A spokesperson from City Hall told ATR that the control of the venue remains in the hands of Botafogo and they have not requested the city to take back control. The city needs control of the venue to finish construction and deliver it to the Rio 2016 organizing committee to prepare for a test event for athletics in May.
"The works to adapt the stadium have deadline for April, with a final deadline, in the responsibility Matrix, for June," the spokesperson told ATR. "Everything is going well towards the test-event without any delays."
A report in Globoesporte this weekend indicates $250,000 is due to restore water and power at the venue known as Nilton Santos Stadium. Botafogo Football Club, the tenants of the stadium, alleges that city hall owes the club the funds, from April and May, during which the city was in control of the venue. Construction continued on the venue on behalf of the city, with Botafogo incurring debt to cover the works.
The spokesperson told ATR that Botafogo resumed control utilities bills for the stadium in May.
As of Dec. 29, workers preparing the stadium for the 2016 Rio State Football Championship were dismissed over lack of payment. Botafogo and the city are currently in discussions over the missed payments, which could affect where Botafogo plays matches in 2016.
Botafogo club president Carlos Eduardo Pereira told Brazilian media on Jan. 3 there was "still some doubts" whether the team could use Nilton Santos Stadium for some matches in the upcoming State Championships due to lack of works.
Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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