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MADRID, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid President Florentino Perez confirmed on Tuesday that the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will be remodeled in order to install a retractable roof.
Perez said the project will cost around 400 million euros (around 447 million US dollars) with construction due to begin in 2017 and finish in 2020.
"We will see a dramatic transformation of the Santiago Bernabeu," said Perez at a joint act alongside Manuela Carmena, the mayor of Madrid.
"This stadium is one of the emblems of our city and we want to make it one of the best stadiums in the world and the undisputed symbol of the strength of our capital."
Perez has promised on several previous occasions to cover the Bernabeu, but previous projects had been denied due to objections from neighbors or because they went against local building regulations.
"With this agreement we will start a process of modernization and transformation that will convert the stadium into an avant-garde architectural icon."
"This stadium will act as an economic and touristic invigorator and will contribute to strengthening the image of our city," added the Madrid president at the unveiling of the new plans which mean the club will not be able to increase the overall size of the ground in order to put the roof on.
