The works for the new Fernando Portillo sports pavilion in Cádiz officially commenced this Monday, July 27, 2026, following a long 19-year wait and the involvement of three distinct government administrations. The foundation stone laying ceremony took place at 11:00 AM.
The event was presided over by the city's mayor, Bruno García, accompanied by the president of the Provincial Council of Cádiz, Almudena Martínez del Junco. The project, undertaken by the company Oreco Balgón SA, has a 30-month execution period, with the pavilion's inauguration anticipated in 2029.
The new sports center will have a capacity for 2,105 spectators, distributed across an exterior grandstand for 1,042 people, an upper tier with 310 seats, and an extendable stand for 728 attendees. The construction budget amounts to 19.1 million euros.
Mayor Bruno García emphasized the goal of "showcasing grassroots sports" and reclaiming spaces for the neighborhood's youth. The pavilion will accommodate various disciplines such as futsal, handball, basketball, and volleyball, and will feature nine changing rooms.
García also expressed gratitude to the residents and sports clubs for their perseverance, highlighting that citizen priorities, such as the recovery of public spaces, have guided the local government's actions.
For her part, the president of the Provincial Council, Almudena Martínez del Junco, congratulated the local government team for advancing "projects that the city of Cádiz deserved," refuting earlier criticisms about the feasibility of the protocol signed in 2023.
In addition to sports facilities, the project includes a three-level underground parking garage with 389 spaces, a significant portion of which will be allocated to neighborhood residents. A commercial area of 263 square meters will also be opened, which, according to Álvaro Sánchez, president of the Association of Commerce of Extramuros, will "also bring life and economy" to the city.
