The first Phase remodelling of 10,000 capacity Lekan Salami Stadium has reached 87% completion stage, giving room for likely commissioning by Governor, Seyi Makinde in July 2021.
Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Seun Fakorede revealed this after an on-the-spot inspection of the stadium by Governor Makinde and Amaju Pinnick yesterday.
The Stadium’s remodelling started in October 2020, through Alternative Project Funding Approach.
Though built in 1976 with a capacity to accommodate 10, 000 people, the Lekan Salami Stadium also known as Adamasingba stadium in Ibadan was opened on May 28, 1988, to be a multi-purpose sports complex and is home to the Shooting Stars football club. The stadium is also venue for leagues and football matches in Ibadan.
The potential of the sporting complex has however not been optimally utilised due to rot and decay making most facilities moribund as a result of what many believes is a lack of maintenance culture. Over the years, many of the structures have been overtaken by bushes and taken over by reptiles.
The story changed when Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration beamed its search light on the 10,000 sitting capacity stadium.
The remodelled stadium has a standard football pitch, flood lights for night events and eight lane tracks for athletics tracks event, commentary box with public addressing system, full roof covering appropriately sealed, toilets and urinary spread within the stadium.
Other phases of the Project boasts of well furnished dressing rooms with showers, V.I.P lodge air conditioned and furnished and well spaced environment for car park.
Speaking on the infrastructural development, Mr. Seun Fakorede, said that the stadium has gone through a remarkable infrastructural development under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde.
He opined that the project, after completion will not only encourage Ibadan based football club, Shooting Stars, it will also give room for economic growth and increase.