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Can Felipa prepares for major renovation: new swimming pool and more sports space in Poblenou
Can Felipa is getting ready for one of the biggest transformations in its history. Barcelona has launched the tender for the first phase of renovation and expansion of the historic facility in Poblenou, which includes replacing the current pool area with a new sports complex and a larger swimming pool.
The tender was published on 1 September and companies can submit bids until 5 October. The contract sets a completion period of 30 months, with a tender budget of around 12.7 million euros and an estimated value of 22.3 million for this phase.
The centrepiece of the renovation will be a new swimming pool measuring 33 by 25 metres, dimensions that will allow official water polo and swimming competitions to be held. The pool will be located underground and will feature a sunken courtyard to provide natural light and ventilation.
The project will also increase the area dedicated to sports by more than 1,000 square metres. The new layout plans to keep spaces for a gym, multipurpose rooms, and organised activities on the upper floors, reinforcing the sporting character of Can Felipa.
The transformation will not be limited to the interior of the building. The project includes reorganising the surroundings of the Josep Maria Huertas Claveria square and improving the connection between Can Felipa and nearby public spaces. Removing some added structures will also improve the link between the Xavier Benguerel gardens and the square.
The work will be carried out in phases to try to keep part of the complex’s activities running while construction progresses. The first phase focuses on the new pool and the expansion of sports facilities. The renovation of the existing historic building will be part of a second phase, which does not yet have a definitive schedule.
That schedule is precisely one of the points still causing uncertainty among users. CEM Can Felipa itself has informed families that the first term of swimming courses, from October to December 2026, will go ahead as normal, but it cannot yet guarantee the continuity of programmes from January onwards because the final dates for the works have not been fully set.
The renovation will also affect other uses of the historic complex. The theatre will remain at Can Felipa with a separate entrance, while some civic and social activities will have to be gradually relocated to other spaces in Poblenou. Among the proposed alternatives are the former La Granota factory on Pallars street and a future facility at Roc Boronat.
These relocations have caused concern among local organisations. The Asociación de Vecinos del Poblenou has pointed out that Can Felipa is much more than a swimming pool and is calling for the sports renovation to be accompanied by a clear schedule for the cultural, social, and community facilities that currently use the building.
The transformation aims to preserve the heritage character of the old industrial complex while significantly expanding its sports capacity. The next key date will be 5 October, when the deadline for submitting bids for the first phase ends and the process can move forward towards awarding works that will last for more than two years.