Jose Angel Iribar residence, culmination of Lezama redevelopment

The men’s first-team building at Lezama, in operation since January 2021, is now joined by a halls of residence and a brand new main building, which will house the youth teams and the women’s first team. This brings an end to major construction work at Lezama, the culmination of a plan to redevelop it and it remains a cutting-edge training centre in the world of football.

Athletic Club held on open-door event at Lezama to mark the building of these new facilities and to celebrate the occasion, the halls of residence has been named after our number 1, Jose Angel Iribar. It was an emotional and well-deserved tribute to his long-standing figure and input at the Club.

The interim board, headed by Aitor Elizegi, was accompanied by institutional representatives from Lezama Town Council, Bilbao City Council and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, among others. Also in attendance were former presidents such as Ana Urquijo and Jose Julián Lertxundi, coaches and staff from Lezama, directors of sport Rafa Alkorta and Joseba Aguirre and Club legends Andoni Goikoetxea, Julen Guerrero, Carlos Gurpegui, Jabo Irureta, Eli Ibarra and Iraia Iturregi.

In addition, families of legends such as Telmo Zarra, Piru Gainza and Iribar himself were present along with the relatives of those responsible for the facilities in the past, such as the Loidi and Renteria families. Sponsors and companies responsible for the project also took part in a tour designed to learn about the three facilities in depth.

Before the redevelopment work, the men’s first team occupied approximately 70% of Lezama’s main building, and it had become increasingly difficult to combine elite-level work spaces with the training and development of young talent.

The first-team building, along with other departments, was placed in another part of the complex, allowing the Club to demolish and reconstruct the main building. The demolition took place in January 2021.

Despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic, the recent war and a transport strike, all construction was completed on schedule and within budget. All of this is thanks to all the companies and workers who collaborated with these projects from the very first blueprints.

The Men’s First-Team Building

A 3,600 m2 building, containing three floors which provide all the services needed by the men’s first team, with spaces for the gym, medical assessment, recovery, hydrotherapy, training and nutrition. It was inaugurated in January 2021, with the first day of use being the day Spanish Super Cup trophy arrived at Lezama. The area next to training Pitch 1 has also been renovated and a new stand has been built.

Key information:

• 3,580 m2 of floor space
• 1,900 m2 of which is below ground level
• Start of construction: September 2019
• Opening: January 2021

HALLS OF RESIDENCE AND MAIN BUILDING

The construction of the new Jose Ángel Iribar halls of residence was completed in June 2021. The construction of the new Jose Ángel Iribar halls of residence was completed in June 2021. It is a two-storey building with a total of 1,110 m2 above ground level, with 29 double rooms and a 600 m2 basement for storage space.

The residence is an extension of the main Lezama building, which houses the permanent training, leisure and nutrition areas for the residents, as well as providing the Club with new changing rooms for the main youth teams, along with a gymnasium, medical area, catering area and the Club’s central offices in Lezama.

Key information about the residence:

• 1,110 m2 floor space above ground level
• 29 double rooms + 1 single (for a guardian)
• Additional 600m2 floor space below ground level
• Start of construction: May 2020
• Opening: June 2021

Key information about the Main Building:

• 4,200 m2 renovated
• 1,300 m2 of new floor space below ground level (car park, technical areas and press room).
• Start of construction: January 2021
• Opening: June 2, 2022