Baja California Sur Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío has launched a 90 million peso (approximately $4.5 million USD) renovation of La Paz’s Gimnasio de Usos Múltiples, known locally as the GUM. The multi-use sports arena, which has served the community for more than 40 years, will undergo a full rehabilitation and reconstruction project expected to wrap up by December 2026.
What the GUM Renovation Covers
The project includes work on the main building, swimming pools, diving platforms, bathrooms, bleachers, and exterior areas. An upgraded pump system for the aquatic facilities is also part of the plan. The scope of work touches nearly every part of the aging complex.
The GUM, formally known as the Gimnasio de Usos Múltiples Emilio “Milo” Mendoza, is La Paz’s primary public sports center. It houses the city’s only Olympic-size swimming pool and a full gymnastics facility. The complex hosts training sessions, regional competitions, and community athletic programs throughout the year.
A Facility With a Long History
This is not the first time the GUM has received attention from the state government. In 2012, then-Governor Marcos Covarrubias Villaseñor inaugurated a previous renovation of the facility that cost 14.7 million pesos. The current project, at 90 million pesos, represents a significantly larger investment and a more comprehensive overhaul of the complex.
The renovation comes as La Paz continues to expand its sports infrastructure. In 2024, the city opened a large new sports complex near the Puente 8 de Octubre, featuring trails, a bike path, a skate park, and fields for soccer, baseball, basketball, and volleyball. That project drew attention from La Paz Mayor Milena Quiroga Romero, who promoted its completion on social media.
Temporary Disruptions Expected
Residents who use the GUM for swimming, diving, gymnastics, or other activities should expect temporary disruptions during the construction period. The state government has not yet announced which sections of the facility will close first or whether partial access will remain available during the work.
The GUM sits within La Paz’s broader Villa Deportiva complex, which also includes the Estadio Guaycura football stadium and the Estadio Arturo C. Nahl baseball park. Together, these venues form the core of organized sports in the state capital.
With the December 2026 deadline, Governor Castro Cosío’s administration aims to deliver the finished project before the end of his term. The renovation was first reported by the Baja California Sur state government.