Roquetes, in the Terres de l'Ebre region, officially opened the new Estadi de l'Observatori on Saturday, 26 April 2026, following a comprehensive €1.2 million renovation. The inauguration ceremony, attended by over a thousand people, marked the completion of a project that included a new artificial pitch and a 41-metre covered stand.
The upgrade cost €1,204,000, with €1 million funded by the Catalan Sports Council. The work took five months to complete. The stadium's new name and logo, honouring its original designation and proximity to Roquetes' century-old scientific institution, were unveiled by Roquetes Mayor Ivan Garcia and the Secretary General for Sport of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Abel Garcia.
A Day of Celebration and Remembrance
The inauguration featured a performance by the Lira Roquetense music band, which played the anthems of Roquetes and Club Deportiu Roquetenc. The event also included a special tribute to former members of Club Deportiu Roquetenc, with three bouquets of flowers placed at the centre of the new pitch in their memory.
Mayor Ivan Garcia recalled that the stadium's first players referred to it as the "Observatori pitch" in 1973. "We have kept the historic name so it is not lost," he explained, noting that the upcoming August eclipse made it the perfect time to revive it. "The Observatory will again be a global reference point, and next to it will be a first-class pitch bearing its name," Garcia said. He described the day as historic, acknowledging the contributions of everyone involved, from the town council to former club directors, players, and members.
Abel Garcia, Secretary General for Sport, reaffirmed the Catalan Government's commitment to promoting sport and improving facilities. "We are very pleased with the result of the work and the quality services the new stadium will offer, but above all for the children and families," he stated. Sonia Andrade, the municipal sports councillor, highlighted the significant improvement the new facility brings. "This was a demand that has been met thanks to the joint work between the council and the club. We have the best stadium for the town of Roquetes, and for the promotion of women's and grassroots sport," she added.
Club President's Personal Connection
Ramon Gas, president of Club Deportiu Roquetenc, spoke about the transformation's importance for the club's growth. He shared a personal connection to the stadium, noting that his grandfather was instrumental in its creation and that he experienced the first major renovation as a player in 1992. "For me, it is now an honour to be the president for the inauguration of the new pitch," Gas said.
Other attendees included members of the municipal corporation, Catalan Parliament deputy Albert Salvadó, President of the Tourism Board and Vice-President of Tarragona Provincial Council Enric Adell, Government Delegate in Terres de l'Ebre Joan Castor Gonell, and the territorial representative for Sport in Terres de l'Ebre Montse Pegueroles. Presidents and representatives from other local entities and associations, along with local dignitaries, were also present.
Modern Facilities and Accessibility Improvements
Beyond the new artificial pitch and covered stand, the renovation included new LED lighting, an underground sprinkler system, and field drainage. The playing surface now features a silica sand base, free of rubber and environmentally friendly. Civil works involved renovating the toilets, adding a disabled access bathroom, and improving overall accessibility with new ramps. A new building for water tanks was also constructed.
The Estadi Municipal de Roquetes now has 630 new red and yellow seats, distributed between the main stand and two modular stands on the side. Perimeter fences have been renewed, and the public areas around the stadium have new paving. New equipment includes replacement benches, a new scoreboard, a large warm-up area, and new goals for both 11-a-side and 7-a-side football. External nets have been installed, and access to the sports area has been improved with a new pedestrian lane for enhanced safety and an expanded public car park with 80 new spaces.
Inaugural Match and Future Plans
The festive day concluded with an inaugural match between CD Roquetenc Femení and CD La Cava, which saw the Roquetes women's team win 5-1. This victory propelled them to first place in their group in the Terres de l'Ebre Cup. The official presentation of CD Roquetenc's teams for the 2025-2026 season also took place, with over 300 players across 18 teams parading on the new pitch, reflecting the club's strong sporting health.
Looking ahead, Mayor Ivan Garcia announced further improvements to the sports area. The six changing rooms in the multi-purpose building of the adjacent pitch will be remodelled in the coming months, an investment of €300,000. This project will receive a €160,000 grant from the Shock Plan for the Improvement of Sports Facilities by the Generalitat de Catalunya's Department of Sport. Additionally, the current boiler will be replaced with a new aerothermal system. Garcia noted that over five years, more than €2 million will have been invested in improving these facilities.
