Mérida’s new stadium is set to be built in the north of the city in the Cordemex neighborhood, but not everyone is excited.

Yesterday, a group of residents expressed their concerns during a protest at the stadium’s future location. The protestors pointed out that building the stadium in what is already one of the most traffic-congested parts of the city will only make the problem worse. 

“Before work begins the government should really address all of these issues. If they do not the new stadium is sure to bring all sorts of problems to the area,” said Eduardo Monsreal Toraya, of the OMSM, Merida’s sustainable mobility watchdog.

Another widely cited concern has to do with parking. Residents say there is no space to build enough parking lots to accommodate the stadium’s maximum capacity of 32,000 people. 

Protesters may have a point as parking is already a problem at Yucatán’s existing baseball stadium, the Parque Kukulcán Álamo, which has a maximum capacity of just under 15,000 spectators

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Those unable to find parking at the ballpark often resort to parking at the shopping mall across the avenue, creating conflict between shoppers and sports fans. 

While multi-level parking may be a solution, critics point to last year’s flooding of The Harbor shopping mall’s underground parking lot which still remains closed.

As the new stadium is planned to be built in close proximity to Gallerias shopping mall, Costco, and Chedraui selecto, those opposing the project say that similar problems are sure to emerge. 

That being said, not all residents of the area are against the project. 

“My shop is right across from where the new stadium is supposed to be. I am very pleased because it will bring more business to the area,” said small restaurant owner Maritza Isabel. 

If all goes according to plan, the stadium would be ready by spring 2023 and would be the new home for Yucatán’s pro baseball and soccer teams.