The condition of the pitch at the Antonio Domínguez Stadium, located in Arona, has once again raised concerns due to evident deficiencies impacting the sport. Despite ongoing maintenance efforts, the turf has experienced a gradual decline that has already resulted in injuries.
The root of the issue lies in an exhausted soil base and a lack of agreement among municipal authorities to implement comprehensive improvements. For over a decade, the technicians and staff at the Marine Sports Club have communicated to the City Council about the depletion of the pitch substrate, which no longer responds effectively to treatments or temporary fixes.
In 2024, an initiative was undertaken to upgrade the irrigation system, costing €27,000 and financed through municipal surplus. The aim was to address water loss due to leaks and deteriorating pipes. However, the new system has not yielded the anticipated results.
Due to these inadequacies, the condition of the grass has already led to physical repercussions. As reported by this newspaper, last Saturday, during a practice session, a youth goalkeeper, who had been called up by the first team, sustained an ankle injury after his foot became lodged in a poorly maintained area. The deterioration of this stadium is further intensified by the substantial daily usage it receives: a minimum of 200 children train at the facility every day, encompassing sports schools, base categories (Prebenjamín and Benjamines), and academies. According to the Councillor for Sports, Luis Sierra, this high level of activity “prevents the grass from receiving the necessary rest for recovery.”
To address this predicament, in 2023, the socialist group in Arona proposed twice a motion for the complete replacement of the pitch, which was assessed at €400,000. However, following an internal split within the local PSOE, the initiative failed to garner sufficient support and was subsequently “parked.”
Sierra asserts that “efforts will be made to secure funding through surpluses” or European projects (as the mayor suggested). The proposal involves implementing an eco-friendly grass system and additional measures, such as enhancing drainage and nutrient provision to the soil.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ANNEX
In this context, the City Council anticipates that, by 2025, enhancements will also be made to the adjoining stadium, including updates to the changing rooms, restrooms, canteen, seating areas, and the installation of 200 plastic seats.
Coach Willy Barroso encapsulated the current contradiction in a widely circulated statement: “We have the best stadium in the category, but the worst pitch.”
