Although Orihuela City Council has not yet made public the cost of the proposed Ciudad Deportiva project, nor financial details, including total expenditure and funding sources, the details of the important development came a little closer recently with a meeting between the Mayor, Pepe Vegara, together with the Councilor for Urban Planning, Matías Ruiz, and the General Director of Urban Planning of the Generalitat, Miguel Ángel Ivorra.
At the meeting, the reservation of land within the new Ciudad Deportiva project was announced to house residents displaced from Los Huertos due to the expropriation of their homes. He stated that he will provide options to those affected, including relocation, monetary compensation and the possibility of remaining in their homes until construction begins.
Two days after publicly revealing the Sports City project during the Fortius Awards, the governing coalition clarified that affected property owners would be given the opportunity to relocate to a designated plot within the project area.
According to municipal sources, this plot is adjacent to Avda Doctor Gómez Pardo, near the Los Huertos parking lot. The site will also house a planned multi-sports pavilion.
Reuse of the Los Arcos Stadium
The City Council confirmed plans to “reuse” the current Los Arcos stadium, reusing it for residential, tertiary or public uses. The capital gains derived 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, Urban Planning Councilor Matías Ruiz, and municipal technicians met with Miguel Ángel Ivorra, general director of Urban Planning, Landscape and Environmental Assessment, as well as with Juan Pedro Carrión, head of the Territorial Urban Planning Service. Discussions focused on the Special Plan for the Sports City and the development of a related Business Park.
Key details of the Ciudad Deportiva project
The Sports City will occupy an area of 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” place within the urban environment of Orihuela. This finding contrasts with the alternative location, south of the train tracks, which was considered by the previous PSOE-C government.
The City Council has committed to implementing “simple and feasible remedial measures” to mitigate flood risks. Furthermore, it emphasizes that Los Huertos’ location, close to the city center, ensures convenient access for residents, a significant advantage over the previously proposed site south of the train tracks.
Features of the Sports City
The Ciudad Deportiva project includes a variety of state-of-the-art facilities:
An athletics stadium
a soccer field
Auxiliary sports fields and courts
A sports hall
An open-air auditorium
The complex will also include land designated for the construction of residential buildings to house displaced homeowners. The City Council has expressed its confidence that this promotion will position the Ciudad Deportiva as a regional center for sports and leisure. The most comparable facility in the Vega Baja region is located in Torrevieja.
Urban Planning and Environmental Assessment
The project requires a specific modification of the Orihuela General Plan (PGOU). This modification will adapt the designated area, converting rustic and urban land into public domain for the implementation of the Sports City.
This week, the City Council plans to present an Initial Strategic Document (DIE) and a project to modify the PGOU to the Territorial Urban Planning Service of Alicante. Subsequently, the documentation will be sent to the environmental authorities of Valencia. These authorities are expected to determine within 15 days whether the submission is admissible or requires additional review.
The City Council advocates the use of a simplified environmental assessment procedure. This simplified 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 a driver of Orihuela’s sports infrastructure and a catalyst for urban and economic renewal. “We want these plans to advance as quickly as possible, to provide first-class facilities to residents and promote the development of the municipality,” Vegara stated.
Councilor Matías Ruiz highlighted the close collaboration of the City Council with the Generalitat so that the project meets all the technical and administrative requirements. He stressed the importance of guaranteeing the viability and sustainability of this ambitious initiative.
In summary, the Orihuela Sports City project represents an important 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, City Council aims to establish a regional benchmark for sports and recreation facilities while addressing the needs of displaced residents.