The long-awaited Orihuela Sports City is set to commence construction in 2027, marking a significant milestone in the municipality’s urban development. According to the City Council, the project will unfold over a decade, with various phases prioritizing different sports and residential facilities.
The official announcement was made at the Fortius Awards, followed by a press release detailing the plans.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS AND INITIAL PRIORITIES
A major transformation will occur with the demolition of the Los Arcos stadium, making way for an underground parking lot and residential buildings, half of which will be designated for young residents. The City Council has outlined a phased implementation strategy, beginning with the construction of a long-awaited athletics track and concluding with the conversion of expropriated homes into green spaces.
Councillor for Urban Planning, Matías Ruiz, acknowledged that the biggest challenge would be addressing the concerns of the affected residents. Approximately 25 individuals will be impacted, and around 15 houses are included in the redevelopment plan. Ruiz emphasized that all sports facilities are planned in areas that do not interfere with existing homes.
Neither Mayor Pepe Vegara nor Councillor Ruiz provided precise dates for project completion, but they stated that the administrative groundwork would be finalised by 2027, at which point the first construction phase would commence. The overall development is expected to take at least ten years to complete.
PHASED CONSTRUCTION PLAN
The City Council has outlined the project in a sequence of priorities:
1. Athletics Track Stadium – The first priority, with a capacity for 2,500 spectators, addressing a long-standing shortfall in Orihuela compared to neighbouring cities like Torrevieja and Almoradí.
2. Multi-Sport Pavilion – The second priority, designed to accommodate 2,000 spectators.
3. New Football Stadium – A state-of-the-art facility replacing Los Arcos, featuring four covered stands and seating for 8,000, more than doubling the current capacity.
4. Demolition of Los Arcos – The site will be repurposed into a central plaza surrounded by residential buildings.
FINANCIAL AND URBAN PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
The projected cost of the Sports City exceeds 20 million euros. However, no external funding is currently secured. Ruiz stated that while no applications for aid or subsidies have been made yet, the City Council may seek support from regional, national, or even European sources in later stages.
The Los Arcos land holds significant real estate value, evidenced by recent residential developments nearby. The plan includes the construction of 102 new homes, with half reserved for young residents. A new underground public parking facility with 400 spaces will be built, mirroring previous urban renewal efforts in the city centre.
A modification of the General Plan is required, initiating a period of study and public participation before final approval. The entire project spans 150,045.90 square meters.
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
• Beyond the main priorities, other planned facilities include:
• Tertiary commercial area (relocating the Cepsa gas station)
• New terraced houses for displaced residents
• Auxiliary football pitch
• Multipurpose outdoor auditorium for events
• Road safety circuit-park
• Multi-sport courts for tennis and paddle tennis
• Green areas replacing expropriated homes
Several high-priority projects may be executed simultaneously to streamline progress.
RESIDENT CONCERNS AND COMPENSATION PLANS
Residents affected by expropriation have expressed concerns about their future. The City Council reassured them that leaving their homes would be the final step in the process, and friendly agreements are preferred over legal disputes. The mayor emphasized that alternative housing options would match or exceed the quality of current homes.
Affected residents have three options:
1. Relocate to the new houses built under the plan.
2. Receive financial compensation and relocate independently.
3. Remain in their current homes for an unspecified period, as the sports facilities have been designed to minimize displacement.
A public housing and land company will oversee the construction of the new terraced houses, ensuring affordability for affected residents.
FLOODING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Sports City’s location in Los Huertos was chosen for its accessibility and lower flood risk compared to other proposed sites. However, residents argue that past floods have significantly impacted the area, particularly during the 2019 storms. They claim the AVE railway tracks create a barrier effect, exacerbating water stagnation.
APPROVAL PROCESS AND NEXT STEPS
The project is still in its preliminary stages, with the Initial Strategic Document recently submitted for review. The Generalitat must seek input from various institutions, including ADIF (due to the proximity of train tracks) and the Segura Hydrographic Confederation, as the site borders a hydraulic public domain. The City Council has planned setbacks to comply with environmental regulations.
Early versions of the project included restoring the abandoned Riquelme Mill and rehabilitating the San Pedro neighbourhood, but these initiatives were discarded to keep the project manageable within time constraints.
With careful planning and phased execution, Orihuela Sports City aims to become a transformative urban development, enhancing Orihuela’s sporting and residential landscape over the next decade.
