The Council of the Municipal Institute of Sport (IME) has approved an initial budget of €31,343,838.57 for the year 2027, focusing on improving municipal sports facilities and supporting local athletes.
This budget includes a total investment of €2,703,045.55, funded through IME's own resources and external financing, to continue enhancing Palma's sports facilities, which are already backed by credits from previous years.
Key projects included in the budget
Among the key projects outlined in the budget is the comprehensive renovation of the Germans Escalas sports centre. The first phase will address the repair of swimming pools, necessary structural interventions, and the reconfiguration of changing rooms and the gym to improve functionality.
The IME is also set to progress with the athletics track project at Son Moix, with plans to tender part of the works in 2027. In Sant Jordi, improvements will be made to the sports court, including the addition of two new paddle courts, a calisthenics area, and a multipurpose court, alongside enhancements to electrical installations and drainage.
Another significant investment will see the establishment of a covered sports facility for hockey at Verge de Lluc. Additionally, the renovation of changing rooms at municipal football fields will continue, following a preliminary phase of topographic study and external measurements completed in 2025. The project will be executed in three phases over 2027, 2028, and 2029 to progressively renew the changing facilities.
Support for local sports initiatives
The budget also allocates €890,000 for sports grants aimed at non-profit sports entities, event organisation, and the promotion of elite and women's sports, as well as adapted sports and individual athletes from Palma participating in national competitions. This funding will support the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons.
Furthermore, the Fira de l’Esport will receive €100,000, a significant increase from the €18,150 initially planned for the 2026 budget. This event, which has been revived after a 13-year hiatus, brings together federations, clubs, gyms, businesses, and sports entities for participatory activities promoting physical activity.
Ongoing sports programmes and maintenance
The budget maintains key IME initiatives designed to encourage sports participation and healthy habits, including the Marxa per la Igualtat, the Cursa Infantil de Reis, the Diada Ciclista de Sant Sebastià, and the Nordic Walking programme.
Additionally, a technical assistance service will be contracted to oversee and manage the maintenance of sports facilities, ensuring prompt responses to urgent repairs and needs. The budget also includes €200,000 for ongoing maintenance contracts to support the repair and conservation of equipment and facilities.
The operational expenses section totals €22,056,153.51, representing 70.36% of the total budget, reflecting a 16.12% increase compared to the initial budget for 2026. This rise is primarily due to extended opening hours for sports facilities and the inauguration of the new s’Aigua Dolça facility.
In terms of revenue, the budget anticipates €25,259,721.16 from current transfers, while personnel costs will total €7,298,685.06. The budget was approved with support from the PP and VOX, while the PSOE abstained, and MÉS and Podemos did not attend the meeting.
