Setting New Standards in Uruguay: The Transformation of Darwin Piñeyrúa Stadium
25. March 2025
In the heart of Montevideo’s historic Parque Batlle, just a stone’s throw from Uruguay’s iconic Estadio Centenario, lies the country’s most important athletics venue: the Darwin Piñeyrúa Stadium. A central hub for national competitions and training, the stadium has now undergone a full-scale renovation—bringing it up to modern international standards and positioning it as a benchmark for athletics infrastructure in Uruguay.

Originally opened in 1922 and designed by the celebrated architect Juan Scasso, the stadium has long been a part of Uruguay’s sporting legacy. However, to meet the demands of today’s athletes and the expectations of modern sports infrastructure, a complete transformation was essential. The result, delivered in early 2024, is a facility that combines performance, durability, and design with forward-thinking engineering and a clear focus on community inclusion.

Led by CONICA’s partner in Uruguay, Totalgrass, the project involved a full renewal of the track infrastructure. A completely rebuilt sub-base was constructed, supported by a new drainage system beneath both the athletics track and central field—ensuring optimal surface stability, even in Uruguay’s varied climate conditions. Alongside these technical improvements, new underground service lines were installed, and the entire stadium lighting system was modernised to support both daytime and evening use.

The athletics track itself has been replaced with a brand-new, eight-lane CONIPUR SW system, enhanced with CONICA’s UV+ sealing technology. The surface design was carefully selected to reflect the light blue tones of the Uruguayan flag, creating a strong visual connection to the national identity. The track blends beautifully into its surroundings, complementing both the green landscape of Parque Batlle and the nearby Centenario Stadium. In addition to the main track, new dedicated areas for long jump, high jump and pole vault have been integrated, along with a two-lane outdoor warm-up track that is also open for public use.
Every detail of this project was carried out with a strong emphasis on quality, consistency and long-term performance. The sub-base construction process was subject to extensive planning and rigorous inspections to ensure perfect planimetry—something immediately apparent when stepping onto the track. All surfaces, including the warm-up zones and jump areas, have been treated with a specialised topcoat that protects against UV fading, enhances water drainage and further secures the granulate layer for maximum durability. This makes the facility not only suitable for elite performance but also highly resilient in Uruguay’s often intense weather conditions.

Importantly, the stadium has been designed to be shared by professionals, amateur athletes and the local community alike—ensuring it serves a wide range of users without compromising on performance or safety. With World Athletics certification currently in progress, the stadium is now poised to host national championships and international training events, providing athletes with a state-of-the-art facility for years to come.
This ambitious project is the result of close collaboration and deep commitment. CONICA extends its sincere congratulations to Totalgrass Uruguay for their outstanding work, attention to detail and dedication throughout every phase of the process. The Darwin Piñeyrúa Stadium is not only a celebration of Uruguayan sport, but a showcase of what’s possible when experience, innovation and quality come together.
The track has been laid. The standard has been raised. And the future of Uruguayan athletics has a new home.
