Canillo Awards €7.36M Contract for Major Palau de Gel Ice Rink Upgrades

The Canillo parish council has awarded a €7.36 million contract, excluding indirect taxes, to the UTE Cevalls-Sideco joint venture for the second phase of upgrades at the Palau de Gel ice rink. The deal, signed Monday afternoon between Palau de Gel SAU and Construccions i Edificacions Les Valls SAU and S.I.D.E.C.O., follows the winning 'Fòrum' design by Adserà Grup. Construction starts on 1 June and spans 15 months, targeting completion by late August 2027.

Upgrades encompass structural reinforcements in concrete and metal, facade modernizations with enhanced insulation and waterproofing, and full renewals of electrical, HVAC, ventilation, telecom, and fire protection systems. Expansions on the ground floor cover reception, shop, changing rooms with individual cabins, and wellness areas. The first floor doubles gym capacity, adds spaces for instructor-led classes, and introduces a panoramic bar overlooking the street, pool, and rink. Second-floor offices gain refreshes, the auditorium receives air conditioning, and modular rooms see improvements. The rooftop over the pool transforms into a circular restaurant and public plaza—reviving a 1987 vision—with access via an exterior lift and rear entrance. Further work includes energy efficiency boosts, sustainability features, exterior landscaping, and controls for noise, dust, and street maintenance.

Palau de Gel president and Canillo first consul Jordi Alcobé called the project a step toward a "top-level, efficient, sustainable" facility to broaden year-round sports, social events, and tourism, echoing its 1987 prominence. He linked it to concurrent road upgrades and parish centre enhancements as transformative for the area. Director Sira Puig described it as a "strategic investment" to meet modern demands, elevate Canillo's tourism appeal, and grow gym memberships, which hit 750-800 at peak season from seasonal staff and ski coaches. Project coordinator Joan Altimir committed to top standards in quality, safety, and coordination amid the complex scope.

To limit disruptions, closures proceed in stages: restaurant closed Tuesday 19 May; pool shuts Saturday 23 May, with users directed to Encamp facilities and soon Pas de la Casa under a forthcoming agreement; auditorium stays open until 25 June for French school performances and Andorran graduations; gym runs until 1 July, then relocates to the Perecaus building equipped with new gear representing about half the future gym's capacity, which users retain post-works. The ice rink serves pre-booked groups, clubs, and schools until 10 August, skipping public sessions, with full closure from 1 September for upper-terrace machinery replacement—though the rink surface avoids direct intervention. Adapted access and seating will curb noise.

A €200,000 bonus applies for finishing by 15 July 2027; penalties kick in beyond mid-October 2027. Adserà Grup leads technical oversight, with Gespro managing proprietor-side monitoring. Seven companies competed in the tender.