Inauguration of Javier Escalza Ground

This coming Saturday, 7 November, the newly refurbished Iberlanda football ground, will be inaugurated with the name “Javier Escalza” in honour of the local footballer.

The inauguration ceremony will begin at 11:00 hours with the official reception for the invited personalities in Arrankudiaga’s Town Hall where Mayor Bingen Larizgoitia will receive, among others, the mayors of Zeberio, Arakaldo, Ugao, Arrigorriaga, Orozko and Laudio, representatives of Biscay’s Regional Council and the clubs to which Javier Escalza belonged to, as well as his relatives.

Immediately following, at 11:45, and at the football ground, the plaque that will give the name to the field as ‘Javier Escalza Futbol Zelaia’ will be uncovered, in honour of the Arrankudiga player. At 12:00, and after the brief ceremony, the match between Athletic Club veterans and the local selection will kick off. After the match, trikitilaris (Basque accordionists) will liven up the atmosphere on the streets and squares until the start of the public luncheon, scheduled for 15:00.

The construction of the new sports facility has taken place where the previous sand field stood, getting rid of this one and placing the new base required for the perfect final positioning of the new state-of-the-art artificial turf. The changing rooms have also been renovated and extended to add four units for the teams and two for the referees. It has four lighting towers that allow for the extension of training schedules and matches thereby optimizing the advantage of the facilities.

Approximately 918,070 Euros have been invested in its construction, and its execution has been possible thanks to the collaboration of Biscay’s Regional Government’s Sports Division.