The ultra modern Astana Arena Stadium, valued at $185 million and built by Sembol Construction, the construction arm of Rixos, was officially inaugurated today (July 23).

Sembol Construction is the largest Turkish company currently investing in Astana, Kazakhstan, which started work on the Astana Arena stadium designed by architects Tabanlıoglu Architecture in 2006.

“We at Sembol Construction are proud to have played a key role in the establishment of such a major Kazakhstani icon, the Astana Arena Stadium,” said Fettah Tamince, co-founder of Sembol Construction at the ceremony.

“The stadium stands at the forefront of global stadium architecture and technology, and will certainly contribute towards the thriving cultural and social scene within the rapidly developing Astana. It is a prestigious project not only for Kazakhstan, but also for our group; we are very excited about our future and ongoing investments within the country,” he added.

Labeled “the most beautiful stadium in Europe” by UEFA president Platini, Astana Stadium is located centrally in Astana across a 232,485 sq mt area and has a capacity of 30,000 people.

The ellipse-shaped project boasts a retractable roof structure for all weather conditions that operates independently from the permanent cloth roof designed to protect the green field.

The football field is compatible with FIFA and UEFA regulations with floor heating and a high-tech pitch, and the stadium will also host other sports events such as basketball and tennis, as well as concerts, fairs and other entertainment events.

“The entire Sembol Construction team is pleased to be able to contribute to the success of such projects and aim to continue in our feat to provide feasible, financially-sound solutions for mega construction projects,” Tamince added. – TradeArabia News Service