Barcelona's Club d'Atletisme Nou Barris (CANB) has welcomed a City Council decision. The council will move CE Europa football club from the Can Dragó athletics track. CANB now demands the council complete long-promised upgrades to the facility. This move follows Mayor Jaume Collboni's announcement. He plans to install natural grass at the Nou Sardenya and Narcís Sala stadiums. This will allow football clubs to meet 1ª RFEF regulations.
The municipal agreement brings an end to what CANB described as "unsustainable coexistence." This occurred at its primary training ground in the Nou Barris district. Sharing the track with a football club, an "organisation unrelated to its sport," created significant operational challenges throughout the season. "The Club celebrates the agreement, because it has resolved a problem that we believe has seriously harmed our organisation," CANB stated in a recent press release.
CANB reported severe consequences for its members. These included safety concerns for athletes at its Athletics School. They found it impossible to conduct secure training sessions. The club also faced competitive paralysis, hindering its ability to host events and prepare athletes effectively, according to Barcelona City Council. This situation led to "an alarming decrease in users." It jeopardised the continuity and viability of a club renowned for its inclusive work with young people and children with functional diversity.
Furthermore, the club's throwing athletes experienced forced displacement. They were "expelled from the facility" at Can Dragó. They had to train in an alternative space. This temporary location, according to CANB, "does not currently meet adequate conditions" for their specialised training needs. This disruption significantly impacted a key discipline within the athletics club.
End to Provisional Arrangements
The conflict began with CE Europa's temporary relocation to Can Dragó. This became necessary while their home ground, the Nou Sardenya stadium in the Gràcia district, underwent renovations. CANB had consistently proposed installing natural grass at Nou Sardenya from the outset. This would have prevented disruption to the athletics track.
The City Council initially cited difficulties in adapting the football stadiums. Consequently, a "provisional" investment was made in the Can Dragó athletics track. This investment, as the club recalls, aimed to "adapt and modernise the athletic facilities." Municipal technicians and representatives always described these changes as temporary.
Now, the council has finally overcome these technical barriers. They are adapting the football stadiums to meet 1ª RFEF requirements. This development means the athletics club considers the transitional phase at Can Dragó concluded. "We celebrate that these technical difficulties have finally been overcome," CANB declared, "and therefore assume that the announced provisional phase will soon end."
Urgent Demands for Can Dragó
CANB expects several immediate actions before the next athletics season begins. These critical steps include maintaining the natural grass surfaces within the facility. They also demand the return of the throwing cage to its proper location. Additionally, the club insists on the dismantling of temporary stands installed inside the track area. These measures are essential to meet minimum federation requirements for athletics competitions.
Beyond these urgent measures, the club highlights the need for vital structural interventions. These include a full renovation of the gym, which is crucial for athlete conditioning. Upgrades to the changing rooms and the main spectator stand are also necessary. CANB also requests a study for installing permanent stands on the back straight or curves. These stands must always be positioned outside the track itself.
The Nou Barris club's Board of Directors has extended an offer of collaboration to the City Council and Institut Barcelona Esports. They aim to "start working as soon as possible on the schedule for completing the planned actions." This proactive approach seeks to ensure Can Dragó becomes "a reference athletics track in Catalonia." This will fulfil long-standing promises.
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Originally published by Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life. Read original article.
