Atletico Paranaense presented at a meeting of members the expansion project of
the Arena da Baixada complex, published on YouTube, involving the construction
of a gym and the search for the public space management of Praça Afonso,
according to UOL Sports.
Mario Celso Petraglia, president of the Deliberative Council of the Club,
announced plans to expand the space, but said the club is looking for a partner
for the project: "It will be ensured that by 2019 we will not make any
sacrifices on football investments. We will seek capital alternatives from
investors so that we can complete this project, mainly because it is posible
that Brazil approves a new gaming law for bingos, jogo do bicho, casino and slots.
And Curitiba will certainly have a casino.”
In 2016, Petraglia almost closed a similar deal with the UFC. The idea would be
to file a request for joint administration of the Plaza Afonso Botelho, in
front of the stadium, closing to Rua Buenos Aires and building there a large
complex with hotel-casino and Areninha stadium on site. The parties met with
President Michel Temer (PMDB) ir order to see the real chances that Brazil
would legalize gaming. But in the middle of negotiations, however, a breakup
among the leadership aborted the project.
Source: GMB / UOL Esportes
