Stadion Stali Mielec

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Stadion Stali Mielec
nickname =


caption = Stadium as seen from east side
fullname = Stadion Stali Mielec
location = Mielec, Poland
built = 1953
renovated = 2006 | closed = | demolished =
opened = 1953| owner = City of Mielec
operator =
construction_cost =
architect =
former_names =
tenants =
Stal Mielec
seating_capacity =
25,000
30,000 (prior to renovation)

dimensions =
105m x 68m

Stadion Stali Mielec at Solskiego 1 is a multi-use stadium in Mielec, Poland. Since its construction, it has been used primarily for football matches for the club Stal Mielec. It was built in 1953 and has maintained a seating capacity of 25,000 spectators, yet on three separate occasions the total attendance had exceeded 40,000. The stadium has hosted numerous European Champions Cup, UEFA Cup, and Polish national team matches, including FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship qualifiers. As of 2006, it is undergoing major renovation.

History

The first part of the stadium was a main sports field for soccer, first built in november 1953. The first social meeting was the match of Stal Mielec against Garbarnia Kraków in 1953, also the opening day.In the following year two tribunes for 7,000 spectators were constructed. A race track, a high jumping area and other athletic displays emerged. Along with the tribunes, two sports training fields, a volley-ball field, basketball and tennis courts were also constructed.

The Stadium was rearranged in the years 1972-1976 by the construction of two new modern tribunes with two planes allowing a capacity of 30,000 spectators (Matches against Real Madrid, Hamburg SV and K.S.C. Lokeren contained a record of 40,000 spectators)

Artificial illuminations were constructed in 1979-1980. The stadium then had the biggest light power in the country - 1800 lx. The first match that took place with the artificial lights was on the 29 october 1980 and was a first league duel for Stal Mielec - ŁKS Łódź (3:0).

Due to the undergoing structure in Poland , Stal Mielec's participation in major activities slowly begin to shrink. Private sponsors stopped assuring the league. The development of the stadium by the reason of lack of money and neighboring sports objects stopped. A flea market "Bazaar" has been functioning from 22 february 1990 on the eastern stadium part opened every thursday and saturday.

The big financial inconvenience was resolved in 1997,independent clubs were formed. Clubs such as Stal Mielec and LKS Mielec are taking advantage of the stadium.

The stadium, which was not taken care of and in very bad technical condition suffered the danger of the collapsing of the second plane, corrosion, destructed stairs and other elements. As of 12 August, 2006 the stadium is now undergoing major reconstruction, and can can now fit 25,000 seated spectators.

Polish National Team Matches

On the Stadium Stali Mielec 4 Polish national team matches took place:

External links

* [http://www.mielec.pl/prezentacje/stadion/start.php Renovation Presentation ]