the construction of the new stadium will cost 151 million
Works of the new Romareda They are already reality. After 23 years of political ups and downs and failed projects, this Monday morning, early in the morning, the demolition machines of the old Urban Planning Department, Cubo and Gol Sur, responsible for UTE OHLA-Deltapunt, began to work. The area around Plaza Eduardo Ibarra was completely transformed. Completely fenced off, the workers began to collect materials to be able to carry out the work and meet the strict schedule of this first phase.
Construction huts, piles of sand and large machines installed today in the vicinity of the municipal stadium They will set the tone for the coming years, in which La Romareda will become a “beacon” for new generations.
The new field will become a reality at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028 and will cost 151 million euros. This is the figure that appears in the executive project, is currently under review by Idom and regional and municipal technical experts. The document records savings of 5 million for the project to be implemented in two stages instead of four, but there are new costs. In particular, a new basement that will give “greater value and functionality” to the building, which will house tertiary services (4 million), more seats (1 million) and new requirements set by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) for cities seeking to host the 2030 World Cup: 320,000 euros for the Breeam certificate and 250,000 euros for the new services affected.
This Monday, Chueca assured, It’s a ‘historic day for the city’, before and after which marks the beginning of the end of a stadium that for decades has been “a symbol of our identity”. “It is not just a football pitch, it is a place full of stories, feelings, emotions, victories, defeats and tears, a space in which generations of Zaragoza residents have lived unforgettable moments and filled with concerts that have marked our lives. “It was the home of our dreams, a place where every song and every goal found a strong response and nourished our spirit and our personality,” he added.
The mayor’s office itself admitted this. With three and a half tough years of work ahead, he asked fans for “patience and understanding.”“It has not been an easy road. We have faced obstacles, overcome difficulties and shown that we, Zaragoza, are people of character and perseverance. Once again, I extend my hand to the skeptics and those who hinder the work, because this stadium was, is and will be part of its history,” he noted.
The new Romareda is conceived as “the new architectural icon of the city of Zaragoza.” Finally, for sporting events it will hold 43,110 spectators, and for concerts this figure can increase to 50,266. “This is not only an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in our future, our city, our autonomous community and our identity,” he said.
Works, in detail
This is the first “effective and real” step towards the construction of the new Romareda. will experience important milestones in the coming weeks. According to Chueca, the schedule is being respected “scrupulously”, despite the “difficulties” that arose a year ago with Pudemosa’s request to Tacpa, as well as the fact that Real Zaragoza did not take part in the public tender due to the “legal uncertainty” that arose.
The first works, with a budget of 3.1 million euros, will focus on the liberation of the Cuba and the old management. “The first building to be demolished will be the Urban Planning Office, which was opened on the occasion of the 1982 World Cup as an international press centre. The goal is to clear the area to make it easier for spectators to access when the competition begins.“, he pointed out.
In parallel, the windows of the “Cube” will be dismantled and, finally, the “Southern Goal” will go down in history. There, the first task will be to remove elements of the interior and install nets to eliminate the coating marked by the presence of asbestos. “Then the metal structures and concrete of the stands will be demolished and, finally, will include excavating the basement, laying the foundation and creating new retaining walls,” clarified.
For the mayor, the project is “a symbol of our ability to dream big”: “It will be a place where new stories will be created, where every goal, every victory and every moment will be shared.” It will remind us of the greatness of our city and its inhabitants.“.
Large-scale presentation in Gol Sur
The presentation took place in Gol Sur itself, specifically on a platform designed for people with disabilities during Enrique Bunbury’s concert. The directors of La Nueva Romareda SL were also not present at the event. representatives of the Aragonese government, such as the Director General of Sports Cristina García or the Zaragoza City Council Sports Councillor Félix Brocate, as well as the Vox municipal representative Julio Calvo and the Socialist councillor Horacio Royo. Also present were the author of the project, the architect César Azcárate, members of Real Zaragoza, including its new director general Fernando López, the president of the Aragonese Football Federation, and workers from UTE OHLA-Deltapunt, among many others.
Aragon President Jorge Azcon stressed that this area “a first-class economic engine”, a temple not only of Zaragoza, but also of culture.“I would like to talk not about demolishing La Romareda, but about its revival. We are making it stronger and more powerful. We are trying to give it a future,” he said.
The old stadium “evokes memories, feelings and emotions.” “And that’s what we want – for the memories to continue to be preserved in this new Romareda,” he added. highlighting the leap that the transfer from Torrero represented at the timewho opened a new stage of “glory” with Los Magníficos, La Quinta de Paris and Los Zaraguayos. “It meant a new moment, and we want the new Romareda to be new too. Now a winner is a winner. Now the project can’t be stopped,” he said.
The regional leader also mentioned on the impact that hosting the 2030 World Cup will have on Zaragoza. The event could leave 335 million euros in investments in hotels, restaurants, shops… “Thousands of fans from all over the world will come to the city and millions will know about it. This will create 4,200 full-time jobs in the city. Zaragoza and in general will benefit not only the capital but the entire territory, especially the city of Huesca, which has more than the necessary requirements to be the headquarters,” he said.
We are waiting for the fourth partner
The city council, the Aragon government and Real Zaragoza are meanwhile still waiting for a possible fourth partner. In April, Ibercaja assured that it was “looking forward” to hosting offer to your council, no further news has emerged yet“There are three partners moving forward with the project, and each institution has its own timeline. Others are considering participation, and we continue to work while they study it. When the time comes, we will sit down and welcome them, as long as they meet all the conditions. In this sense, we are not in a hurry, but this is also not in our hands,” Chueca noted.
He also mentioned a new tertiary use basement, which was not included in the preliminary design. “When it became clear that the more than 20,000 square meters of tertiary use would have greater functional value if they included a basement, it was decided to include it,” he added. By increasing the number of meters completed by Ascon, it will have greater economic value.without implying that it will be excavated to a great depth.
At the moment, the tertiary use is not defined. But the objective set by the president of Aragon is twofold. Firstly, the equipment is directly linked to the football pitch and has “not only compatible but also auxiliary” uses, which increases its versatility. “You have to find those who are willing to receive this equipment and pay for it. Society will seek maximum profitability. For this reason, the architects designed the space taking into account market criteria,” said.
The partners also mentioned the possible acoustic impact. The idea remains that the new Romareda will host eight to ten concerts a year. “We had such a case on this Saturday and there were no complaints. What is happening at the Bernabeu in Madrid cannot be extrapolated to Zaragoza. “without prejudice to the fact that the project provides for improved sound insulation to avoid any inconvenience that may arise, but I do not want to foresee problems that do not exist,” said Chueca, who also mentioned the congresses and large events that could be programmed in the future area without creating “any inconvenience.”
Budget adjustment
The construction of the stadium in two stages will force the partners to adjust their contributions to La Nueva Romareda SL, a circumstance that will be reflected in the future budgets of the City Council and the Government of Aragon. What is important for Azcon is that the construction of a portable stadium in the North Parking will “minimize uncertainties” and bring them closer to the Southern objective. “For the safety and comfort of the fans, this will be a good idea. In addition, the work will be more efficient,” he commented..
The formula is expected to ensure the new pitch arrives “finished and tested” in time for the 2030 World Cup. to meet FIFA requirements, which require it to be held a year before the event and to feature several top-level matches.