FC Barcelona has temporarily paused plans to build an exclusive first-team player residence at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, shifting its financial and construction focus toward expanding the training facility’s gymnasium instead, sport.es reported. The decision to halt the housing project comes as the estimated cost to build the team hotel near the Camp Tito Vilanova climbed to between €12-14 million, significantly higher than the initial €6 million budget reported by the outlet.
Budget Shift Pauses Player Hotel Project
The proposed residence was designed to give first-team players a dedicated space for pre-match concentrations and post-training recovery. Head coach Hansi Flick reinstated the routine of gathering the squad together ahead of matches, including home fixtures, shortly after taking over the managerial post. While club executives initially gave the housing development a green light following requests from the coaching staff, the rising cost estimates prompted officials to shelve the build for a later phase rather than cancel it outright.
New Gym Takes Priority for Flick Squad
Construction efforts now center entirely on a brand-new gymnasium requested by Flick to accommodate the squad’s heavy workload in physical conditioning, rehabilitation, and individual preparation. The existing workout area inside the Ciutat Esportiva complex proved too small for the demands of the current training regime. Crews have nearly completed the exterior structure of the new training annex, which sits directly adjacent to the pitch and features expansive glass walls that keep players in constant view of the training grounds.
Financial Scope of the Ciutat Esportiva Adjustments
Internal cost projections released via the Barça Reservat podcast detail the financial gap that forced the club’s pivot. The player residence jumped from an initial budget of €6 million to a projected €12-14 million, forcing directors to reallocate immediate capital. The ongoing gymnasium construction moves forward as the primary infrastructure target for the squad’s daily physical development.
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