The municipality of Ávila The Adrada It is currently undergoing a major transformation of its sports facilities, with the creation of a new artificial turf football pitch in the La Cotá area. This project, eagerly awaited by clubs and fans, is supported by a combination of European funds and municipal resources to adapt the venue to the current demands of federated sport and strengthen the range of healthy leisure activities.
The initiative not only aims to renovate an old dirt field, but is part of a broader strategy that links sport, tourism and sustainabilityUnder this premise, the new playing field is seen as a key element to attract visitors, organize sporting events of a certain level and consolidate La Adrada as a regional reference in the practice of football throughout the year.
A project linked to European funds and sustainable tourism
The performance is part of the Tourism Sustainability Plan in Destination (PSTD), under the heading “Ecomobility for sustainable tourism 360-365 in the Tiétar Valley”, which has injected 1.367.000 Euros in the municipality. Within this framework, it has been decided to allocate part of the resources to the transformation of the municipal countryside in a modern, efficient space prepared for 11-a-side football and 7-a-side football under regulatory conditions.
According to municipal officials from different administrations, the acquisition of these funds is due to the joint work of political and technical teams, who knew how to fit the improvement of sports facilities within the strategy of sustainable tourism from the Tiétar Valley. La Adrada is thus committed to a model that combines the promotion of sport with the protection of the environment and the revitalization of the local economy.
During the 2019-2023 term, the following were added: almost two million euros in subsidies from European Union Recovery and Resilience MechanismA significant portion of this funding is now directed towards creation of the new artificial turf field, considered a historical demand both by sports schools and by numerous residents.
Local authorities have also emphasized the role of Strategic Tourism Plan 2023-2030 for La Adrada as a guide for prioritizing investments, ordering aid applications, and ensuring that projects contribute to a coherent development model. In this context, football and the intensive use of the field throughout the year are understood as tools for Strengthen sports tourism and the image of the municipality.
Redirecting a controversial action towards the artificial turf of La Cotá
The current government team initially inherited a different project linked to the same European subprogram of eco-friendly tourism mobility: the construction of a wooden walkway to facilitate access to the surroundings of the Aprisquillo Pine, in an area listed as Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA)That action, however, accumulated unfavorable reports and widespread neighborhood rejection due to the possible impact on a sensitive natural space.
Given the lack of technical, environmental and social support, the municipal corporation decided rethink the investment in order not to forfeit the Next Generation funds. After several months of work, on September 12, 2025, a modification to the project was presented and approved on October 2 by the Bilateral Monitoring Commission of the PSTDThat approval allowed the funding to be redirected towards the eco-sustainable renovation of the municipal football field.
The new proposal envisions a sports facility adapted to the real needs in La Adrada, with intensive use throughout the year and a much more limited environmental impact than the intervention initially planned in the protected area. The City Council defends this decision as a way to reconcile protection of natural heritage and improvement of public servicesavoiding actions that did not have the minimum required viability.
With this change of focus, the artificial turf field at La Cotá is now considered a strategic infrastructure for the municipality. In addition to serving regular sports activities, it is envisioned as a potential venue for campuses, tournaments and training camps that can attract players, family members and fans from other locations, especially from the neighboring Community of Madrid.
Municipal forecasts suggest that this reorientation could turn La Adrada into one of the leading provincial centers in sports tourism and sustainable management of public spacesadding the social and community component to the mere renewal of equipment.
Awarding of the works and execution deadlines
The construction of the new football field of artificial turf in La Adrada has been awarded to the company Realturf Systems SL, specializing in synthetic surfaces for sports use. The contract amounts to 287.750 Euros, an amount that represents a slight reduction of almost 11.000 euros compared to the initial tender budget.
The maximum time limit set for the work is 90 calendar days from the signing of the site handover report, on the condition that the infrastructure is fully completed before the February 23th 2026This schedule requires tight planning, but will allow the field to be available in a relatively short timeframe if no technical or administrative setbacks arise.
The funding comes primarily from European Union Next Generation fundsThese projects are supplemented by municipal funding when necessary. This ensures that the bulk of the investment does not fall directly on local coffers, while also meeting the conditions set by the Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan.
Political leaders who spearheaded the acquisition of the aid have highlighted the role of municipal technical team and external consultancies in drafting projects and supporting documentation. This collaboration would have been key to aligning the requirements of the European call for proposals with the specific need for a renovated football field in La Adrada.
Local authorities, from both the previous and current administrations, agree that the availability of a high-quality playing field comparable to others in the region can facilitate the organization of official competitionsIntensive training and more continuous sports activities, even in rainy or cold weather.
What will the new artificial turf field in La Adrada be like?
The technical project envisions a comprehensive intervention on the old dirt field. The first step will be to carry out the clearing and cleaning of the landremoving plant debris and materials that could interfere with the new base. Then, the following will be carried out: boxing and conditioning with respect to the current leveladjusting levels and slopes to ensure proper drainage.
On that compacted base, the necessary layers will be installed to guarantee the stability and durability of artificial turf, complying with the prescriptions of Superior Sports Council and usual standards on 11-a-side and 7-a-side football pitches. type of fiber and filling The cushioning is selected to offer a ball bounce and footing as similar as possible to natural grass, but with much less maintenance.
In addition to the playing surface, the project includes the implementation of sanitation systems that prevent waterlogging and facilitate the use of the field even during rain. The provision of non-reusable sports equipment, such as goals, benches or nets, in order to leave the facility completely ready for training and official matches.
The design of the La Cotá area has been planned with a medium- and long-term vision. The field will be slightly relocated within the same sports area to be able to accommodate, in later phases, other infrastructure such as a indoor sports centerIn fact, a preliminary draft has already been submitted to the Provincial Council of Ávila and the Regional Government of Castile and León to study future complementary investments.
In the same sports area, previous improvements have already been made, such as the renovation of the indoor soccer and tennis court with artificial turfNew perimeter fencing and accessibility improvements. These works, along with the new football pitch, aim to create a more complete and functional sports complex, suitable for both local residents and visitors.
Sporting, social and tourist impact in La Adrada
The leap from a dirt field to a terrain of artificial grass This represents a significant change in the daily life of local sport. Clubs and schools in La Adrada will now have access to a facility. more homogeneous, safe and usablewith fewer cancellations and more night useeven in rainy or cold weather.
From a social point of view, the City Council presents the project as a commitment to youth, community cohesion and healthy leisureThe possibility of scheduling sports activities continuously throughout the year, without depending so much on mud or dust, is interpreted as a direct improvement in the quality of life of those who frequently use these facilities.
From a tourism perspective, the new artificial turf field is part of a strategy to sports tourism which seeks to attract teams and schools from other provinces, especially from the Community of Madrid, for the organization of camps, training camps, friendly tournaments and summer leaguesThese events can generate overnight stays, increased consumption in bars and restaurants, and greater commercial activity in the municipality.
The very philosophy of the Tourism Sustainability Plan in Destination encourages investments that combine the creation of useful infrastructure for the residents with the capacity to add value to the area's tourism offerings. In this case, the La Cotá football field is presented as a multi-purpose space, open to sports and recreational uses practically year-round.
The series of actions in the sports area, together with other ongoing municipal projects, fuels the aspiration that La Adrada will consolidate itself as an attractive place for those seeking nature, sport and rural accommodations in an environment relatively close to large urban centers.
The opening of the new football pitch artificial turf in La Adrada It symbolizes a different way of using European funds: it has gone from a controversial intervention in a sensitive natural area to an investment in a sports facility that combines sustainability, intensive use and tourism potentialIf the execution deadlines and usage forecasts are met, La Cotá can become one of the municipality's main assets to promote grassroots sport, strengthen community life and attract new economic activities linked to sports tourism.
