Velodrome near Algaida for sale: Monument, problem or opportunity?

Velodrome near Algaida for sale: Monument, problem or opportunity?

On the dusty edge of the country road, not far from Algaida, lies a facility that breathes sporting history and is at the same time dilapidated: the Andreu Oliver Velodrome. On about 35,000 square meters, stands for roughly 3,000 spectators, a cycling track, a restaurant, an outdoor pool, tennis courts and an apartment together with a large parking lot make up an unusual purchase offer – the asking price is around four million euros, and it is sold only as a whole.

Key question: Should the track be revived as a sports venue, or is conversion to an event and leisure space — similar to projects such as Motorworld Mallorca experience center — the more sensible use?

The facts are clear: the facility opened in 1975, its heyday was in the late 1970s and 1980s, and Spanish championships and regional competitions were held on the track. Regular operation has been suspended since the 1990s; between the concrete stands and walls covered in graffiti lie memories of races and training. Even a symbolic lap with Guillem Timoner has been documented in recent years. Today alarm systems and a security guard watch over the premises, which are in need of renovation but still contain well-preserved individual parts such as the restaurant "Bufet l’Amo Andreu" and the solarium by the pool.

Critical analysis: Buying means not only ownership but also obligation. Preservation or conversion requires investments in structures, electrical systems, water and sewage systems, and fire protection. In the countryside, the available parking and access are an advantage, but larger events also bring traffic and noise issues for residents. Permit issues remain open: changes of use, heritage protection status or restrictions from land-use plans can significantly affect any model. Last but not least, water is an issue on Mallorca – a large pool and gastronomy require consumption planning, especially during dry summers.

What is often missing in public discourse: the perspective of local clubs and neighbors. People talk about memories of races, less about investor potential: who will be allowed to use the facility in the future? Will members of local cycling clubs be given priority or will the site be commercialized? The costs for ongoing operation, taxes and maintenance also rarely appear in articles – yet they decide the profitability of a project.

An everyday scene: on a cool December morning delivery vans roll along the gravel access road, cicadas are silent, only the wind carries the distant splashing from the once-used pool. On a concrete step sits an old bicycle rim, rusted, and a dog from the next village uses the empty stands as a lookout. This is what a place looks like that sits between memory and future.

Concrete approaches to solutions: 1) Phased renovation: safety first – stands, electrics, fire protection – then expansion according to use. 2) Mixed financing: private investors, municipal grants and crowdfunding for local involvement. 3) Hybrid model: primary use for sport (training camps, sanctioned races) combined with event areas (small fairs, concerts, gastronomy) in defined time windows. 4) Plan for sustainability: rainwater harvesting for gardens and cleaning, solar panels for energy, water-saving pool technology. 5) Usage agreements with local clubs, discounted days for schools and youth centers to secure community ties. 6) Check for heritage protection reasons, as an official protection status can open funding opportunities.

For investors this means: calculate, but with an eye on the community. For municipalities, as seen in local initiatives like Algaida wants to buy Son Reus de Randa, involve stakeholders early rather than regulating later. And for football, tennis or cycling fans: a chance to reclaim lost training facilities.

Conclusion: The velodrome is more than an empty site – it is a dilemma between nostalgia and pragmatism. The decision whether Mallorca regains a piece of sporting culture or the area becomes an event machine depends not only on the price tag but on concepts that integrate technology, environment and neighborhood.