The Reyno de Navarra Arena, with a capacity for 12,000 spectators, counts on "versatility" as one of its strong points, thanks to a good issue of fixed and mobile stands that make up new spaces of "multifunctional character". This was stated by Carmelo Fernandez, architect manager of project, during the"I Cycle Architecture, Sport and Society", organized by the University of Navarra and the high school Official Basque-Navarre Architects Association.

"This is not an architect's project , it is a society's project . We want to host any show subject without any functional problem," added Fernandez, who stressed the great adaptability of the venue for large events: "The ease of entrance of trucks and its large capacity, both above and below ground, is crucial when it comes to providing options for event managers".

The session, focused on the analysis of the Reyno de Navarra Arena pavilion, was also attended by the pelotari Mikel Idoate, the professor of the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra Rafael Araujo and the General Manager of Large Venues of the Community of Madrid, Beatriz Martínez. The session was moderated by Javier Saralegui, director of Sports in Onda Cero Navarra.

Profit from non-sporting events

Focusing on the profitability of the venue, Beatriz Martínez stated that "the market has changed a lot in recent years" and that it is not necessary to think of a purely sporting pavilion but also of more profitable events. "Now that the Administration cannot bear the cost or the losses in certain types of events, we have to start thinking about making a profit in other ways, including live music," said Martinez.

More focused on the sporting aspect, the pelotari Mikel Idoate highlighted the pros and cons of a construction of this size: "For a pelotari the sound is very important and here it is lost a little, but I think it is compensated by the fact of playing in front of 3,000 people". This capacity to attract so many people is one of the advantages he values of the venue: "The Arena can be used for important matches, here you can play finals. For the pelotaris and, in general, for the sportsmen from Navarre, it will be crucial to have so many people playing at home".

For his part, Rafael Araujo highlighted the "ideal and accessible" location of the pavilion, whose connection with the ring roads is "core topic", as well as being in "an area with great capacity for car park".

The next session of the Architecture, Sport and Society Cycle, degree scroll "The Miguel Indurain Velodrome", will take place on February 26 at the COAVN Auditorium. The event is organized by the Olympic programs of study Center and the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra with the partnership of the high school Official Basque-Navarre Architects' Association (COAVN).