The transformation of the Valleseco coastline continues slowly but surely. Deadlines are being met and construction work is progressing, changing the image of a coast that is destined to become the new attraction for leisure and enjoyment in Santa Cruz.
Thus, in the development of the Valleseco coastline, in what is known as the puddle area, of the four dykes included in the project, there are already three that have been completed. These are the Martillo dam, the North dam and the Central dam. In the South dock, the last one, the concrete blocks are being placed with the 400-ton crane brought expressly to the Island for the development of these works. The forecast is that in this first week of October the construction of this fourth dam will be completed.
Parallel to this work, the dock that corresponds to the Cidemat ramp is also being placed, a building whose rehabilitation has to be undertaken by the Cabildo.
Regarding urbanization, the walls and structure of the buildings are being executed. This area is where the green hillside wall is located, which has begun to be executed on the perimeter of the work that borders the service road. Specifically, a vertical garden is defined as a green hillside wall, endowed with different vegetation, as a resource to “landscaping” walls or plots, which will radically change the image of the environment, making it more “green”.
The final result of this work will be the absolute change of this part of the coast. There is still work ahead, as much as its completion is scheduled for June next year. The bathing platforms, the planting of the vegetation, the promenade that will decorate the entrance to the water, and the leisure areas, are the parts that remain to be completed.
Structure
The works are divided into three groups of actions, specifically Charcos Beach, Pantalanes and Maritime Defences. Thus, in the so-called Playa de Charcos, a bathing area will be set up (272 linear meters of coastline) whose ground surfaces will be more or less flooded depending on the tides. It will also have a promenade and relationship area (350 linear meters) that constitutes the articulating platform of the complex and from which the pedestrian access is produced from the promenade of Anaga Avenue to the Playa de la Arena de Valleseco.
There will also be two pedestrian walkways, the so-called Green Ladera, a landscaped and tree-lined rest area, as well as a shelter for Charcos Beach, the Plaza-Terrace, a service space for users of Charcos Beach with outdoor showers and area as a hall from the sea. This action unit is closed by Plaza Norte, a general service reception space for Playa de Charcos.
In the pontoon area, these structures will be manufactured that constitute the elements that delimit the water of Charcos Beach, as a bathing and sports area, offering platforms for rest, play and solarium. These are tropical wood surfaces on a marine aluminum structure, anchored to the bottom of the sea with micropiles.
It should be remembered that the Maritime Defense and Planning works for the Puddle Zone of the Valleseco Functional Area began in June 2021, with an execution period of 22 months and a budget of 13,632,573 euros.
The Block and Acapulco
Parallel to this work, the Port Authority is making improvements to the beaches known as El Bloque and Acapulco. It does so with the money provided by the Santa Cruz City Council, which exceeds 500,000 euros, after making a change to solve a problem that arose on the pier. In the case of El Bloque, the execution of the capping beam and the staircase has already been completed, as well as the adaptation of the slope. Concrete slabs and gravel are being placed to form the solarium, and access to the site is being prepared.
According to the Port Authority, in the coming weeks the children’s games and exercise equipment will be assembled to complete this part of the coastline and leave it ready for use.
In the Acapulco area, work has already begun on paving the area between the ravine and the coal sheds, which will improve access to this beach.
The execution period for these works is four months, so it is expected that during this month of October the intervention will have been completed that will allow these two beaches, which have been closed during the execution of the works, to be put into use.
