Athens, May 27, 2025
Growthfund’s Project Preparation Facility (PPF): Contract Signed for €61.35 million for the restoration of the steel structures at OAKA Main Stadium and Velodrome
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Athens Olympics Sports Center (OAKA), Ioanna Batsou, and the Vice-Chairman and CEO of METKA ATE, Dinos Benroubi, signed today, Tuesday, May 27, a contract worth 61.35 million euros for the structural & operational restoration of the steel structures at the Main Stadium and the Velodrome of OAKA. The contract follows the successful conclusion of a tender process conducted by the Project Preparation Facility (PPF) of Growthfund on behalf of OAKA.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Alternate Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Ioannis Vroutsis, the Director – General of OAKA, Konstantinos Chalioris, the Deputy CEO of Growthfund, Panagiotis Stampoulidis and executives of METKA which has been awarded the contract for this significant project.
The scope of the project includes both the preparation of technical studies, and the execution of works aimed at: a) restoring the necessary structural integrity of the steel roofing structures at the two venues, and b) maintaining, repairing and replacing components of the metal frameworks and polycarbonate roofing sheets.
The restoration works are expected to be completed within 14 months from the signing of the contract. The project is part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0,” and is financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
The Project Preparation Facility (PPF), acting on behalf of OAKA, led the project’s preparation and tendering process as part of its joint initiative with the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) and the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports to overhaul the country’s most iconic Olympic facility. The total budget for the modernization and upgrade interventions at OAKA amounts to €111 million.
The Alternate Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Ioannis Vroutsis, stated: “It is a historic day for Greek sports. After 21 years, OAKA is being reborn! With the signing of the contract for the restoration of the steel structures of the Main Stadium and the Velodrome, a technically demanding, high-standard project begins with unwavering commitment to quality and transparency. The safety of sports facilities has been a non-negotiable priority for the Government and for me personally, from the very first moment I assumed the Sports portfolio. This important project is part of the broader plan to upgrade OAKA, aiming to make it fully renovated, functional, and modern — for athletes and the new generation of Greek sports. I would like to sincerely thank the Technical Chamber of Greece, the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund, as well as the management and staff of OAKA for their decisive contribution. With planning, consistency, and dedication, we continue the transformation of the iconic OAKA Olympic complex and the national sports infrastructure of our country.”
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of OAKA, Ioanna Batsou, said: “The signing of today’s contract marks a pivotal milestone in the restoration and modernization of the Olympic facilities at OAKA. The steel structures of the Main Stadium and the Velodrome, iconic works of modern Greek sports, will acquire the structural safety and aesthetics they deserve. The effort to create a modern, safe, and functional OAKA continues with consistency and vision.”
The Director – General of OAKA, Konstantinos Chalioris, highlighted: “The importance of this project for OAKA is immense, as it concerns the core of the Olympic complex and the safety of thousands of athletes, sports enthusiasts, and spectators. Of value is the innovative repair methodology that will be applied for the first time to metal structures of this scale, without interrupting the operation of the facilities. The expertise developed through this project sets a positive precedent for other infrastructures in the country as well. We are working with planning and consistency for a sustainable and resilient OAKA, worthy of the history and future of Greek sports.”
The Deputy CEO of Growthfund, Panagiotis Stampoulidis, stated about the significance of this project: “We are particularly pleased that a demanding tender for a complex project is being successfully completed. I would like to thank the Project Preparation Facility (PPF) of Growthfund for the preparation and execution of the tender for this landmark project, the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) for their valuable assistance, and the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports for their continuous support. The contractor, METKA, has extensive experience in the implementation of technical projects, and their involvement ensures the smooth execution of this iconic undertaking. Combined with the other interventions that are either underway or have been initiated for the upgrade of OAKA, the country’s most significant Olympic facility will soon once again become a point of reference for sports and culture.”
The Vice-Chairman and CEO of METKA, Dinos Benroubi, pointed out the following: “METKA brings a high level of technical competence and extensive experience in the execution of complex and demanding projects — qualities that ensure the successful completion of this important undertaking. We are fully committed to meeting the strict specifications and timelines with absolute consistency, respecting all stakeholders and the project’s requirements. Our goal is to make a decisive contribution to the upgrade of one of the country’s most iconic sports facilities, which holds a special place in the memory and hearts of all Greeks.“