Cozumel, Q.R. — A building icon on the island of Cozumel is being demolished to make way for a new complex. Demolition began on the island’s Francisco Cordero Núñez Poliforum Tuesday after more than 40 years of use.
After more than 40 years, the Francisco Cordero Núñez Poliforum has entered a new phase with the start of its demolition. For decades, this iconic building served as a meeting place for generations of athletes, fans, families, and artists, leaving a legacy that is part of Cozumel’s sporting, cultural, and social history.
Mayor José Luis Chacón Méndez gave the starting signal to the works that mark the end of a cycle and, at the same time, open the way to a new infrastructure destined to continue promoting sports and coexistence among Cozumel families.
“Thanks to the support of our governor, Mara Lezama, and the resources of the Cruise Ship Welfare Trust, the construction of the new Poliforum will become a reality for our people.
“This space, which for more than 40 years has been part of Cozumel’s history, will give way to modern and dignified facilities for our athletes,” he said.
For more than four decades, the Poliforum was the stage for unforgettable moments. Within its walls, professional basketball on the island was born with the Cozumel Mariners, who played in BAPROSUR, the Southeast Professional Basketball League, and became protagonists of an era that left its mark on Cozumel fans.
It was also home to the Isleños de Cozumel in the Quintana Roo State League, a team that later became Fuerza Isleña and that, together with the Roosters, represented Cozumel in the Mayan Basketball League, strengthening a sporting tradition that for years brought together entire families in its stands.
The municipal basketball and volleyball leagues also found one of their main venues in this building. Children, teenagers, and adults participated there in competitions, training sessions, and matches that contributed to the development of local sports.
But the history of the Poliforum “Francisco Cordero Núñez” went far beyond basketball and volleyball.
Its facilities hosted professional boxing matches and were the scene of outstanding fights by Cozumel’s pride, Jorge “Estudiante” Rivera, who thrilled the island’s fans.
Lucha libre also wrote memorable chapters in this venue, with the presence of figures that marked generations, including El Santo, Pedro “El Perro” Aguayo, Love Machine, Octagón, Máscara Sagrada and Rey Misterio, La Parca, Tinieblas and Aluxe, in addition to other exponents that made the Poliforum a benchmark of the sporting spectacle in Cozumel.
Throughout its history, the building also opened its doors to concerts and musical performances, thousands of students danced their graduation waltz and received their certificates, it hosted the Caribbean Culture Festival with the participation of countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, among others, consolidating itself as an emblematic space for the coexistence and entertainment of Cozumel families.
This September 15th, the start of the demolition for its reconstruction represents a moment full of memories and emotions for those who grew up, competed, trained, enjoyed a show or simply keep some experience within its walls.
It is a farewell to a building that witnessed more than four decades of history, but also the beginning of a new stage for Cozumel sport.
During a final tour of the facilities, Chacón Méndez explained that various materials removed during the dismantling process will be reused in other areas of the municipality.
“We will have a better, multifunctional space, with air conditioning and a capacity that will increase from approximately 300 to 3,000 fans. In addition, it will have a retractable section that will allow it to host different sporting disciplines and events,” he said.
The mayor specified that the demolition will be total to allow the new infrastructure to be built from scratch. Likewise, the current indoor soccer field located next to it will be removed as part of the complete transformation of the space.
Chacón emphasized that the project includes new spaces for sports practice, with facilities that meet the current needs of the people of Cozumel.
“Today we say goodbye to a place that holds an important part of Cozumel’s history, but we do so knowing that a new story will begin here. We want future generations to have a dignified, modern space that reflects the talent of our athletes,” he said.
