What Happened
The Luis “Matador” Tejada High Performance Center (CAR) experienced flooding after heavy rain on Wednesday, April 29, combined with a high tide, but Pandeportes director Miguel Ordóñez said the complex is now in normal condition.
Ordóñez explained that the weather event briefly overwhelmed the facility’s drainage system, which drains toward the sea. He said the system was affected by a low-pressure system that brought intense rainfall in a short period, along with a tide that was nearly 6 meters high.
According to Ordóñez, the pumping system worked properly and water was removed quickly. He said that 12 or 13 hours after the flooding, there was no standing water on the surface.
Why the Flooding Happened
Ordóñez said the combination of heavy rain and unusually high tide made it difficult for stormwater to exit through the CAR’s drainage channels. When seawater pushes back toward the outflow, rainwater cannot drain as expected, causing temporary surface flooding.
He described the event as a one-off situation caused by weather and tidal conditions rather than a structural failure. The Pandeportes architecture and engineering department worked during the morning to verify that the installations were in good condition.
Impact on the Sports Complex
One of Ordóñez’s main concerns was protecting the grass surface at the athletics track. He said the turf did not suffer damage and remains intact and ready for use.
That matters because prolonged flooding can weaken grass and affect training and competition conditions. Ordóñez stressed that the CAR could host events immediately if needed, since the site returned to normal conditions after the water receded.
Repairs and Future Prevention
The center is now strengthening its drainage system. Ordóñez said drones will be used to inspect the full route of the pluvial drainage network to identify possible improvements and reinforcements.
He also said the contractor involved in the project has agreed to support any necessary upgrades at no cost if additional pluvial boxes or alternative drainage routes are required. The goal is to reduce the chance of a similar backup during future storms and high tides.
Background on the CAR
The CAR is one of Panama’s major high-performance sports facilities, with an investment of B/.58,530,550.69. It includes a gym, athlete hotel, sports complex, aquatic center with an Olympic pool, athletics track, FIFA-sized soccer field, rehabilitation areas, special lighting, plumbing and electrical systems, and more than 99 parking spaces.
The facility was also one of the venues for the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026, held from April 12 to 25, with more than 2,000 athletes from 15 countries taking part.