Construction on the new Russafa sports center in Parc Central has now been completed. This gym, located in Building 1 of Parc Central—a historic building dating back to 1917—will open its doors on September 1, as confirmed on Monday by Valencia Mayor María José Catalá after visiting the facilities alongside Sports Councilor Rocío Gil.
The total investment amounted to 7.5 million euros, of which 3 million came from European funds.
The sports center is spread over two floors and a basement. The ground floor will house the heated pool, the spa, the sauna, the Turkish bath, a 45×25-meter multipurpose sports court, and a gym.
The first floor will house two additional rooms dedicated to weight training and group exercise classes, as well as the center’s administrative offices. An adjacent wing will serve as the main entrance and will include a café.
The basement will house the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and hot water production facilities, featuring a geothermal system that will reduce the complex’s overall energy consumption.
Management contract awarded and opening to the neighborhood before summer
On July 3, the Local Governing Board awarded the concession to manage the center to the company Trecet for a period of three years, with no option for extension.
Before the official opening in September, the City Council will hold open houses and pilot activities so that Russafa residents can explore the facilities and try out their services.
A project marked by cost overruns and architectural complexity
Construction began in June 2023 with an insufficient initial budget. The City Council has contributed an additional 1.8 million euros to complete the project due to “the technical complexity of the project”—stemming from the fact that the industrial building is a protected structure.
The City Council plans to add a third opening before the end of the year with the Sant Isidre center.
