Lleida City Council is set to take back management of Camp d'Esports and other municipal facilities used by Lleida CF, after the club failed to reach an agreement with creditors and now faces liquidation.
The club missed its final legal deadline set by the Commercial Court to present a proposal to avoid liquidation. Judge Eduard Enrech is expected to issue an order soon, which will start the liquidation phase.
Under the rules for municipal facilities, when a concession holder enters liquidation, the council regains ownership and management. Lleida CF had already asked the council to assume control from 1 June, so the handover is expected in the coming days.
Municipal officials have been in contact with Marc Torres, assistant to the club’s presidency, to organise the transition. Once the facilities are formally handed over, the council will be responsible for operations and upkeep, especially the pitches at Camp d'Esports and the Annex field.
City services estimate that annual maintenance for both pitches will cost more than €135,000. The council says it will set aside specific funds for this work once it receives the facilities, as the spending was not included in the sports budget approved late last year.
The council’s aim is to keep the sports complex in good condition so activities can continue normally, whatever happens next. For more local coverage, see our news tag.
Attention now turns to the future of football in Lleida. A 'popular football' model is being considered, possibly through Lleida Calaveres. While that option waits for liquidation to be confirmed, the Amics del Lleida association, with support from fan groups including Blues Nord, Rudes, Molo Esportiu and És Un Sentiment, has already completed the federation steps needed to activate a new club. Last year, under the name Lleida 1939, representatives formally asked the council for permission to play at Camp d'Esports if Lleida CF ceased to exist.
