Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center: Steadfast Remodeling for the 2026 Games
With just over a year to go until the celebration of the Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, the remodeling work at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center is progressing at an accelerated pace. This was confirmed by José P. Monegro, president of the Organizing Committee of the multi-sport event, who offered details on the main works in progress, their delivery dates, and the scope of the interventions. From the initial coordination with the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (MIVED), a rigorous work schedule has been established which, according to Monegro, is being fully met, even with some installations ahead of schedule.Archery Range: An Example of Progress
A clear example of this progress is the archery field, where a Pan American tournament is already scheduled to take place next July, before the Games, thanks to the fact that its remodeling has already been completed.That shows we are doing well. The first thing we did was coordinate a realistic schedule with MIVED, and today we can say that it is being respected and even exceeded in some cases.
José P. Monegro
Olympic Stadium and Double Athletics Track
The Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, the centerpiece of the event, is being remodeled in two phases. The first was adapted to meet the requirements of the Women’s World Cup, and the second, focused on the athletics track, will be completed in February 2026. At the same time, the alternate track is being remodeled, a facility of equal dimensions that will serve for warm-ups and practices, meeting international standards.Both tracks have dimensions for official competitions. Although it is called a ‘warm-up track’, the alternate one is as important as the main one, and will be a priority for the preparation process of our athletes.
José P. Monegro
Sports Palace: Public-Private Collaboration
The renovation of the Virgilio Travieso Soto Sports Palace is possible thanks to a branding agreement with Banco de Reservas. It is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2026. This public-private collaboration model seeks to guarantee long-term sustainability.Aquatic Center: Total Reconstruction
The Aquatic Center is being completely transformed to meet the new requirements of World Aquatics. A completely new pool is being built, as well as a dry gym, specialized space for off-water practices, and the inclusion of a water timer to maintain the appropriate temperature. Practically, it’s being built from scratch to meet the new requirements of World Aquatics.Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Gymnastics: Notable Advances
The volleyball courts, both the Palace and the Pavilion, are being renovated and are expected to be ready by August 2025. In Parque del Este, the gymnastics and weightlifting facilities are also progressing positively.State Investment and Future Challenges
The Dominican government has committed an investment of RD$2,948,337,610.39 for the remodeling and adaptation of sports infrastructures. The works were tendered by the MIVED and will be awarded to construction consortiums for better technical and financial control. Monegro underscored the importance of post-event maintenance and advocated for the creation of a permanent institutional structure to coordinate the work of volunteer groups and boards in charge of the facilities.The Games should not be just a momentary showcase, but an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. We are building facilities that will be at the level of a World Cup. The country must ensure that they are maintained as such.
José P. Monegro
