Major Sports Facility Moves Forward After Urban Planning Approval
The Territorial Urban Planning Commission for the Barcelona metropolitan area has definitively approved the special urban plan for a new municipal sports complex in Badalona. The resolution, published on 7 August 2026 in the Official Journal of the Government of Catalonia (DOGC), clears the way for construction on the long-vacant site of the former Focus factory. The project will occupy a total area of 13,257 square metres across two municipally owned plots bordered by the C-31 motorway, Torrent de la Font and Carrer Jaume Passarell. It lies at the boundary of the Bufalà, Morera and Dalt la Vila neighbourhoods.
Olympic-Sized Pool to End Longstanding Gap
The main goal of the development is to build a large-scale aquatic facility featuring a 50-metre Olympic pool, the first of its kind in Badalona. Mayor Xavier Garcia Albiol has described the project as essential, calling it a response to a historical anomaly that the third most populous city in Catalonia has lacked such infrastructure.
This is a necessity for the city. We are finally addressing a deficit that no city of our size should have had for so long.
The building will have a maximum floor area of 16,000 square metres and a regulated height of 14 metres. It will not exceed three levels, ground floor plus two upper floors, and must maintain a minimum 10-metre setback from the C-31 motorway to ensure integration into the urban environment.
Project Unblocked After 2025 Delay
The approval ends a delay caused in 2025 when the same commission suspended the plan due to the absence of a required mobility impact assessment. The city council revised its submission in early 2026, complying with Article 3 of Decree 344/2006, which mandates such studies for structural facilities of supramunicipal significance. Despite the earlier disagreement over whether the mobility plan was necessary, the municipality committed to providing the documentation to avoid further delays.
Archaeological Survey Required Before Construction
Before any work can begin, a mandatory preventive archaeological intervention must be carried out across the entire site. This requirement stems from Catalonia’s cultural heritage laws, given Badalona’s significant Roman past. The survey must be conducted by a licensed archaeologist and authorised by the Department of Culture. A technical report will follow, assessing whether any discovered remains, especially those classified as Assets of Cultural Interest of National importance (BCIN), affect construction plans. Residents and local stakeholders can review the full special urban plan on the Badalona City Council website.
Primary sources: govern.cat, badalona.cat, dtes.gencat.cat, dtes.gencat.cat, dtes.gencat.cat, dtes.gencat.cat, govern.cat, dtes.gencat.cat. Reported by Arnau Raimundo, lavanguardia.com, Carla Stavraky, Eva Gómez, Redaccio, metropoliabierta.cat.
