Although the Orihuela City Council has still not publicly disclosed the cost for the proposed Sports City project with any financial specifics, including total expenditure and funding sources, remaining unspecified, the details of the major development took a step closer recently with a meeting between the mayor, Pepe Vegara, together with the councillor for Urban Planning, Matías Ruiz, and the director general of Urban Planning of the Generalitat, Miguel Ángel Ivorra.
At the meeting, plans were announced to reserve land within the new Sports City project to accommodate residents displaced from Los Huertos due to the expropriation of their homes. The stated that it will provide options for those affected, including relocation, monetary compensation, and the possibility of remaining in their homes until construction begins.
Two days after publicly unveiling the Sports City project during the Fortius Awards, the governing coalition clarified that affected homeowners would have the opportunity to relocate to a designated plot within the project area.
According to municipal sources, this plot is located adjacent to Avda Doctor Gómez Pardo, near the Los Huertos parking lot. The site will also house a planned multi-sports pavilion.
Reusing the Los Arcos Stadium
The Council confirmed plans to “reuse” the current Los Arcos stadium, repurposing it for residential, tertiary, or public uses. The capital gains from these transformations will help finance the construction of the new sports facilities.
The Sports City project, which includes the demolition of the Los Arcos stadium, has been outlined after a series of meetings.
Last Friday, Mayor Pepe Vegara, Councillor for Urban Planning Matías Ruiz, and municipal technicians met with Miguel Ángel Ivorra, Director General of Urban Planning, Landscape, and Environmental Assessment, as well as Juan Pedro Carrión, head of the Territorial Urban Planning Service. Discussions focused on the Special Plan for the Sports City and a related Business Park development.
Key Details of the Sports City Project
The Sports City will span over 150,045 square meters in the Los Huertos area. Despite its proximity to the Segura River, a flood study commissioned by the government concludes that Los Huertos is the “least floodable” location within Orihuela’s urban environment. This finding contrasts with the alternative site, south of the train tracks, which was considered by the previous PSOE-Cs government.
The City Council has pledged to implement “simple and viable corrective measures” to mitigate flooding risks. Additionally, it emphasizes that Los Huertos’ location, close to the city centre, ensures convenient access for residents—a significant advantage over the previously proposed site south of the railway tracks.
Features of the Sports City
The Sports City project includes a variety of state-of-the-art facilities:
An athletics stadium
A football field
Auxiliary sports fields and tracks
A multi-purpose sports pavilion
An open-air auditorium
The complex will also include a designated plot for constructing residential buildings to accommodate displaced homeowners. The City Council has expressed confidence that this development will position the Sports City as a regional hub for sports and recreation. The most comparable facility in the Vega Baja region is located in Torrevieja.
Urban Planning and Environmental Assessment
The project requires a specific modification to Orihuela’s General Plan (PGOU). This modification will adapt the designated area, converting rural and urban land into public domain for the implementation of the Sports City.
This week, the City Council plans to submit an Initial Strategic Document (DIE) and a draft modification of the PGOU to the Territorial Urban Planning Service of Alicante. The documentation will then be forwarded to Valencia’s environmental authorities. Within 15 days, these authorities are expected to determine whether the submission is admissible or requires further revision.
The City Council is advocating for the use of a simplified environmental assessment procedure. This streamlined process has been applied to similar projects, such as the expansion of the Orihuela wastewater treatment plant.
Statements from Local Leaders
Mayor Pepe Vegara highlighted the strategic importance of the Sports City, describing it as both a boost to Orihuela’s sports infrastructure and a catalyst for urban and economic renewal. “We want these plans to move forward as quickly as possible, to provide first-class facilities for residents and promote the municipality’s development,” said Vegara.
Councillor Matías Ruiz emphasized the City Council’s close collaboration with the Generalitat to ensure the project meets all technical and administrative requirements. He underscored the importance of guaranteeing the viability and sustainability of this ambitious initiative.
In summary, Orihuela’s Sports City project represents a significant step forward for the municipality, balancing urban development, modern infrastructure, and community support for those affected by the expropriation in Los Huertos. With plans underway and administrative steps being finalized, the City Council is aiming to establish a regional benchmark for sports and recreational facilities while addressing the needs of displaced residents.
