Demolition Tender Launched for La Morera Site

The Ajuntament de Badalona has formally launched the tender for the demolition of the old Fàbrica Focus, a former industrial site in the La Morera neighbourhood, as the first concrete step towards building the city’s first Olympic-sized swimming facility. The contract, valued at €490,989.92 including VAT, covers deconstruction and site clearance on a plot bordered by the C-31 motorway, the Torrent de la Font, and Carrer de Jaume Passarell. According to the tender documents, the work will take approximately three months from the date of contract award. Private companies have until the night of Monday 9th November 2026 to submit bids. The demolition project, officially designated as Expedient 2026/31653C, was approved by the full council in a plenary session on 20th July 2026, as confirmed in a certificate of agreement published on the city’s official portal.

New Sports Complex Plans Unveiled

Once cleared, the 13,257 square metre municipal plot will host a new multi-sport complex with a buildable area of 16,000 m² across a maximum of three floors, not exceeding 14 metres in height. The facility will include an Olympic swimming pool, two additional pools, paddle tennis courts, a gym, spectator stands, a dining area, a terrace, and an auditorium. Due to its proximity to the C-31, the complex will maintain a 10-metre setback from the motorway. Before construction begins, an archaeological survey will be required to assess for potential Roman-era remains, reflecting Badalona’s historical significance.

Green Light from Regional Authorities

The demolition follows final approval from the Territorial Urban Planning Commission of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, part of the Generalitat de Catalunya. This green light, published in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya in August 2026, came after a temporary suspension in October 2025 due to the lack of a mobility plan. Once submitted and validated, the plan was approved, unblocking the project first announced in 2024.

This is one of the flagship promises of my mandate. It’s incomprehensible that the third-largest city in Catalonia has lacked a water facility matching its size.

, Xavier García Albiol, Mayor of Badalona

City Renews Sports Infrastructure

The Fàbrica Focus project is part of a broader push to modernise Badalona’s sports facilities. In late 2025, the Generalitat allocated €1.25 million through its Shock Plan for Sports Facilities Modernisation. This funding has already supported major renovations, including nearly €1.9 million at Montigalà football field, completed in September 2026 with new artificial turf and a covered stand for 470 spectators. Other upgrades include €572,000 for turf replacement at Lloreda football field, nearly €1 million for improvements at the Mireia Belmonte municipal swimming pool, and €85,000 distributed across seven local sports centres for repairs and system upgrades earlier in 2026.

Sources: Metrópoli, badalona.cat.