Earth moving crews have this week begun excavations at the old football ground in Ronda in anticipation of beginning construction of the new Eroski shopping centre before the end of the year.
Valued at between 110-120 million Euros the shopping centre is expected to provide several hundred jobs during the construction phase and as many as 1,300 when operations begin.
Work underway presently includes excavating the old football pitch down to below the level of the retaining wall which separates it from the old fairground, and will involve removing an expected 270,000 cubic metres of soil which is currently being trucked away with haulage contractors arriving every 5 minutes.
The main football stand has yet to be demolished but all other seating has been removed, and so too has the practice pitch used until recently by local kids and petanque players. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the drivers told Ronda Today the first phase of earth removal is expected to be complete by the end of October, and then demolition of the retaining wall will commence.
Given the profile of this project, its expected jobs benefits, and the upcoming municipal elections in May, we can expect major construction to start in early 2011 as Ronda’s mayor Antonio Marín Lara gears up for re-election as candidate for the PSOE party.
[wp_ad_camp_2]
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!