Viking get stadium go-ahead

Norwegian Tippeligaen side Viking FK have had plans for a new stadium approved by the local council in Stavanger.
 
Crucial decision
The Viking management still need to be granted final permission on 18 March by the city council, but according to chairman Ole Rugland, the most important obstacles have been cleared for the project to be launched in the spring of 2004.
 
15,000-seater
”We haven't taken this so far without having an optimistic opinion of this project,” said Rugland. “The architect has already drawn up the stadium which is planned to cost around €20m, with a capacity of 15,000 seats.”
 
Favourable conditions
The new stadium will be owned by the club itself, whereas their present stadium is owned by Stavanger council. The council have promised Viking a free site in Jåttåvågen, a suburb in the Stavanger area and are expected to cover one third of the costs.
 
‘Too much money’
Rugland added that it is vital for the club to build a new stadium. “Stavanger stadium is more that 70 years old and holds only on 6,500 seats. We desperately want to build a new stadium that meets the requirements of UEFA and FIFA, and it would take too much money and effort to rebuild our current stadium,” explained Rugland.
 
UEFA Cup contenders
Viking finished third in the 2001 season meaning that they will take part in the 2002/2003 UEFA Cup and they kick-off their new Norwegian premier division campaign against Lillestrøm SK on 14 April.