Estadio Municipal de Ipurua
Encyclopedia
Estadio Municipal de Ipurua is a multi-use stadium
in Eibar
, Spain
. It is currently used mostly for football
matches and is the home ground of SD Eibar
. The stadium holds 5,250 (all-seated) and was built in 1947. The pitch measures 103 x 65 m.
Ipurua has been the principal football ground in Eibar
since 1947. Before this, numerous basic fields were used, before Ipurua became the first enclosed ground. It was inaugurated on 14 September 1947 with a match between SD Eibar
and their local rivals CD Elgoibar
that was lost 0-2.
Work began on the central main stand in 1948 and this was finally opened in 1951. Because the ground lies at the bottom of a steep valley, the pitch was prone to flooding and poor drainage. Steps were taken to address this and a new drainage system and pitch levelling was completed in 1959. The ground remained relatively basic throughout the 1960’s, but in 1970 the popular preferente end was covered and the roof of the main stand was extended. The first floodlights were also installed in 1970 and they were inaugurated on 14 October 1970 with a match between Real Sociedad
and Athletic Bilbao
. During the 1980’s Eibar’s fortunes improved on the field and basic improvements were made to the ground. This included the erection of a basic cover at the western end of the ground.
In 1989 SD Eibar reached Segunda A, but Ipurua was probably the most basic stadium in the division. Matters were complicated by the fact that the urban area of Eibar
had spread westwards and severely restricted space to the north of the ground. The club received funding in 1998 from the local council and ‘Liga de Professional Fútbol’ and started a project to completely remodel Ipurua. In 1998, the original main stand was demolished and a new, full-length covered stand was constructed. This had a capacity of approximately 2,800, which would be over half of remodelled grounds capacity. In 1999, work started on refurbishing the end stands and finally in 2001, the narrow north terrace was roofed and 4 rows of seats were installed. Work was completed with the installation of a new drainage system and pitch.
Today, Ipurua is a modern, if somewhat compact stadium. It has full UEFA
certification and has a fully seated capacity of 5,250.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Eibar
Éibar
Eibar is a city and municipality within the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country of Spain. The city was chartered by Alfonso XI of Castile in 1346...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is currently used mostly for football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
matches and is the home ground of SD Eibar
SD Eibar
Sociedad Deportiva Eibar, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team from Eibar, Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded on 30 November 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B....
. The stadium holds 5,250 (all-seated) and was built in 1947. The pitch measures 103 x 65 m.
Ipurua has been the principal football ground in Eibar
Éibar
Eibar is a city and municipality within the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country of Spain. The city was chartered by Alfonso XI of Castile in 1346...
since 1947. Before this, numerous basic fields were used, before Ipurua became the first enclosed ground. It was inaugurated on 14 September 1947 with a match between SD Eibar
SD Eibar
Sociedad Deportiva Eibar, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team from Eibar, Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded on 30 November 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B....
and their local rivals CD Elgoibar
CD Elgoibar
Club Deportivo Elgoibar is a football team based in Elgoibar in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1917, it plays in the Tercera División - Group 4. Its stadium is Mintxeta with a capacity of 4,000 seats.- Season to season:----...
that was lost 0-2.
Work began on the central main stand in 1948 and this was finally opened in 1951. Because the ground lies at the bottom of a steep valley, the pitch was prone to flooding and poor drainage. Steps were taken to address this and a new drainage system and pitch levelling was completed in 1959. The ground remained relatively basic throughout the 1960’s, but in 1970 the popular preferente end was covered and the roof of the main stand was extended. The first floodlights were also installed in 1970 and they were inaugurated on 14 October 1970 with a match between Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
and Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
. During the 1980’s Eibar’s fortunes improved on the field and basic improvements were made to the ground. This included the erection of a basic cover at the western end of the ground.
In 1989 SD Eibar reached Segunda A, but Ipurua was probably the most basic stadium in the division. Matters were complicated by the fact that the urban area of Eibar
Éibar
Eibar is a city and municipality within the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country of Spain. The city was chartered by Alfonso XI of Castile in 1346...
had spread westwards and severely restricted space to the north of the ground. The club received funding in 1998 from the local council and ‘Liga de Professional Fútbol’ and started a project to completely remodel Ipurua. In 1998, the original main stand was demolished and a new, full-length covered stand was constructed. This had a capacity of approximately 2,800, which would be over half of remodelled grounds capacity. In 1999, work started on refurbishing the end stands and finally in 2001, the narrow north terrace was roofed and 4 rows of seats were installed. Work was completed with the installation of a new drainage system and pitch.
Today, Ipurua is a modern, if somewhat compact stadium. It has full UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
certification and has a fully seated capacity of 5,250.