By Santiago Carneri
Copyright euroweeklynews
Benidorm Town Hall has secured a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant of €6,421,814 under the Local Integrated Development Strategy (EDIL) to implement the ‘Benidorm Open Arena’ Integrated Action Plan (PAI), focused on the city’s historic plaza de toros. The plan includes three projects: ‘Arena Live’, ‘Arena Joven’ and ‘Arena Encuentro’. The grant covers 60 per cent of the total investment of €10,703,023, with the remaining 40 per cent provided by the town hall.
Mayor Toni Pérez expressed his “great satisfaction” at the news, highlighting that “the project comprises three key initiatives that bring this transformative vision to life”. The PAI outlines specific actions that align with the Urban Agenda approved by the town council, promoting energy efficiency, digitalisation, sustainable mobility and urban rehabilitation.
The flagship initiative, ‘Arena Live’, will rehabilitate the plaza de toros and transform it into a multifunctional space for cultural, social and sporting activities, enhancing the city’s sustainable cultural and leisure offer.
A multifunctional cultural and sports hub
‘Arena Joven’ will establish a youth centre designed as an accessible, multicultural and inclusive space for learning, leisure and active participation. The third project, ‘Arena Encuentro’, focuses on regenerating the urban environment to improve connectivity between the Els Tolls-Salt de l’Aigüa district and the city centre, as well as the northern part of Foietes, via the l’Aigüera park, improving accessibility and public space quality.
Pérez recalled that in January 2024, the council had already announced plans to revive the plaza de toros project as soon as a new European funding call was launched. With the EDIL funding, the project was “reconfigured with a more integrated vision to meet the needs of the local population, particularly young people”.
New youth centre and improved urban connectivity
All three initiatives will take place within an 18,000-square-metre area, aiming for comprehensive urban regeneration by addressing deteriorating cultural infrastructure, providing youth services, and improving accessibility in Els Tolls and beyond.
The redevelopment will include structural rehabilitation of the existing building, modifications to interior layouts and seating arrangements for flexible event use. The youth centre will feature multiple functional spaces, including a coworking area for projects, idea-sharing and technology access. Accessibility improvements will link the l’Aigüera park with Els Tolls, including a public lift, alongside green spaces and seating areas to encourage social interaction.
According to Pérez, securing these grants is “the result of a lot of effort and hard work”. While the awarded amount is lower than initially requested, he stressed that “European Commission funding is highly competitive” and described the success as “a boost for the projects Benidorm presents”. The works are scheduled for completion by the end of 2029.