With the arrival of the Christmas break, there also comes the definitive confirmation of something that was already more than assumed in the Arenas: they will have to play … the second round of the competition at the Fadura facilities, leaving behind their Gobela fort due to the demands and competition specifications of the First Federation. Along with Europa de Barcelona, from group 2, ‘Historico’ is the only one that plays its duels on an artificial grass playing field, one of the primary conditions of the federative entity.
At the beginning of the course, the Spanish Football Federation granted them a moratorium to look for alternatives or renovate their facilities, something that did not satisfy them. In fact, the Catalan team first presented allegations to the Higher Sports Council and, after its refusal, filed an appeal before the ordinary justice system requesting precautionary measures to be able to continue playing as a local club at Nou Sardenya. A request that was rejected this Monday.
At Arenas they were very aware of everything that could happen in this matter, as the last and only option to be able to continue playing in Gobela. Although it is also true that with little faith, correctly according to the final decision of the Administrative Litigation chamber of the National Court. Thus, and as already planned, starting next January 15, the red and black club will be forced to move to Fadura.
Farewell against Castilla
Gobela’s Arenas farewell will be a few days before, on the weekend of January 10-11, in the duel that will pit Jon Erice’s team against Real Madrid Castilla, at a time yet to be defined. Subsequently, the red and black team will play two consecutive away games against Cacereño and Osasuna Promesas. The debut in their ‘new’ stadium will be against Ourense on the first weekend of February.
A date that gives a few more days of margin to finish and complete the improvement works that have been carried out for some weeks now at the Fadura facilities, to adapt it to the competition regulations required by the RFEF. Among the various actions being carried out, budgeted at around one million euros, include the repair and improvement of the perimeter fencing of the playing rectangle, as well as the installation and adaptation of stands in both backs and on the side located next to the Gobela River.
Likewise, the current main stands will be improved with the installation of new seats. In total, the capacity of the remodeled Fadura will reach three thousand people. To facilitate the flow of fans, new access to the Fadura facilities will be enabled from the surroundings of Plaza María de Ibarra.
The team and referee locker rooms have also been completely renovated, a retractable tunnel is being installed to provide access to the playing field and also a new public address system, as well as video surveillance cameras to reinforce security. Previously, the lighting of the stadium was already improved, on the occasion of the previous Copa del Rey tie between Getxo and Betis Valladolid. All of this must be ready within a month and receive administrative validation from the Federation. From there and until the end of the season, Arenas will be the home team at Getxo.
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