Bàsquet Girona and Spar Girona fans stepping into Pavelló de Fontajau experienced a major arena upgrade on Sunday, as the venue debuted a new LED lighting system featuring synchronized color spotlights for player introductions and timeouts. The long-awaited lighting overhaul, funded by the local city council, replaces a 30-year-old halogen setup that had plagued the facility with frequent reliability issues and lengthy cooling delays during past home fixtures.
Upgrading Fontajau’s Aging Infrastructure
The Girona City Council installed 52 new LED floodlights over the summer to ensure that professional basketball fixtures for both the men’s and women’s squads could proceed without technical disruption. The previous halogen infrastructure, dating back more than three decades to match the age of the pavilion itself, posed persistent operational risks. Chief among them was a lengthy cooling-off period following power outages—often requiring up to 20 minutes before the bulbs could reignite and restore full visibility to the central court. Temporary lighting rigs had been rented late last season to sustain club activities, making the new LED installation a permanent and necessary fix.
A Spectacle Unveiled During the UCAM Murcia Clash
Sunday’s league meeting against UCAM Murcia marked the official public unveiling of the club’s new entertainment capabilities. Fans experienced a momentary pause during the pre-game introductions when the arena lights suddenly cut out, prompting an audible gasp from the stands before supporters realized it was not another facility blackout. Instead, newly installed color-focused spotlights positioned at the upper front of the central grandstand sprang into action, bathing the court in dynamic hues designed to elevate the home-game atmosphere. The club plans to maintain the lighting effects for all remaining men’s and women’s home matches this season.
Attendance and Upcoming Schedule
While the visual presentation received positive reactions from the crowd inside Fontajau—who also witnessed an individual standout performance from Jassel Pérez during the team’s first victory of the new campaign—overall attendance dipped for the debut. The fixture drew 4,367 spectators, falling below the club’s usual home average of nearly 5,000 fans. Following upcoming away fixtures in Vitoria and Lugo, Bàsquet Girona will return to Fontajau on October 18 for a midday clash against Carles Marco’s Coruña side, scheduled to tip off at 12:00 local time.
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