With the arrival of summer comes the desire for swimming spots. Seashores, aquatic facilities and pools are bustling with individuals seeking to cool off with a refreshing dip, be it in fresh or saltwater.
However, those opting for the latter are facing limitations as two crucial locations in the north of Tenerife are no longer accessible. One such spot is Los Patos beach in La Orotava, which is closed due to recent landslides posing a danger to visitors, despite efforts to clear up the cliff.
Consequently, the City Council has taken the decision to shut it down for the whole summer season, as new landslides could occur unpredictably.
Municipal experts, along with specialists in the field, have advised that a comprehensive approach is needed, involving a geological survey to determine preventive measures against potential landslides jeopardising lives.
This move has disappointed regulars of this spot in Orotava, who were able to return to this bathing area last year after its closure in July 2013. The closure was due to delays in constructing a new staircase for safe access—an intricate process given the land’s terrain and frequent landslides.
Another unexpected setback this summer is the closure of the Garden Beach Complex due to wastewater contamination. This coastal area in El Puerto is popular among locals and tourists from the North. While this issue is not new, the closure this time is indefinite, pending the results of monitoring protocols set to determine whether the restriction can be lifted.
Despite the risks such as gastrointestinal distress and various infections posed by the water quality, numerous individuals have disregarded warning signs since the beach’s closure on July 3. Hence, the City Council decided to intensify the prohibition signs across the complex while collaborating with other authorities to implement necessary measures. The Council will continue efforts to enhance sanitation in Punta Brava; hasten the wastewater diversion project from La Vera and Las Dehesas, which currently flows into Playa Jardín EBAR; and initiate an environmental analysis plan covering residential and commercial sectors.
Alerts and notices highlight the situation at Playa Jardín.
The Santo Domingo beach in La Guancha has been off-limits since 2010.FP
The Los Silos swimming pool did not renew its administrative concession with Costas. S. Méndez
The closure of Los Patos Beach was a result of landslides.
The La Guancha swimming pool, inaugurated in 2019, is yet to become operational. SM
On the other hand, the Cabildo is dedicated to expediting the already planned and budgeted investments, such as the comprehensive restoration of the outfall. This restoration is currently pending authorisation from the General Directorate of Coasts before commencing work. Additionally, expansion of the regional treatment plant, which also caters to Los Realejos and La Orotava, is in progress as it has become outdated in terms of capacity.
Visitors to Santo Domingo beach in La Guancha have shown more acceptance, as the sole bathing area in the town was closed to the public in 2010. Up until then, the beach was a popular spot for many fishermen and it was one of the few places in Tenerife where underwater fishing was allowed, albeit with restrictions. Additionally, the Virgin of Carmen used to visit the area.
The erosion issues began in 2007 but it was specifically in 2010 when public access was restricted. This initiated a long wait for a renovation project that never materialised but remains a key objective for the Cabildo de Tenerife in each term. Unfortunately, the swimming pools have not fared any better over the last decade. Particularly, the one in this municipality has been awaiting opening for over five years. Although the construction was completed by the City Council in 2019, it remains non-operational due to pending external urbanisation work. This element was not part of the agreement with the Cabildo and was the responsibility of the City Council. To date, this matter remains unresolved, but there are hopes to initiate the tender process before the year ends.
The sports facility came at a cost of 2.6 million euros and was officially unveiled on 28th February of that year by the Cabildo. The mayor at the time, Antonio Hernández (PP), declined to attend the inauguration citing incomplete construction and a desire not to mislead residents. Nonetheless, he signed the acceptance document to ensure no issues for Acciona, the construction company in charge of the project.
Unluckily, the Los Silos swimming pool has been closed since 2019, following the expiration of the administrative lease granted to the City Council by the General Directorate of Coasts back in 1968, which was not renewed.
The responsibility was placed on the government in power then, led by the socialist Santiago Martín, for failing to initiate the extension of the lease for use of the maritime-terrestrial public domain in that area, which terminated in 2018. However, the current mayor, Carmen Luz Bazo, pointed out that it was her predecessors (CC-PP) who did not pursue the legal route to reclaim the pool.
To resolve this situation, which is detrimental to both the facility users and the commercial sector, the City Council lodged an administrative appeal against the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, in an effort to resurrect the legal avenue to regain control of the facilities while simultaneously working on securing a new lease.
The journey has been equally challenging in Saint Ursula, where residents have been without a pool for five years due to a dispute between the City Council and the concessionaire Eulen, which terminated the management early citing financial reasons.
The closure of this site, situated in La Quinta, did not go without controversy as it coincided with the 2019 election campaign.
A substantial amount of time has passed without the governing group managing to commence the necessary works for the pool’s reopening. However, the mayor, Juan Acosta, assured the press last year about ongoing project designing to begin the tender process for the requisite works, acknowledging the deplorable conditions in which the building was received. The project is also intended to incorporate internal restructuring and impart a more socially appealing character to the facility. Nonetheless, details of the project have not been disclosed to the public.
Meanwhile, visitors have migrated to other pools in the vicinity where local councils have readily invested significant amounts due to the advantages they offer to the residents. This scenario is exemplified by the El Mayorazgo pool in The Orotava or The Acentejo Massacre, which has been expanded to accommodate two additional streets, potentially extending to 50 metres, along with new access points featuring external ramps. These developments have been achieved within a year.
The pool in The tank, sited in El Lance Park, has been filled up causing confusion among residents who anticipated its imminent opening, which unfortunately will not be the case this summer. The project is currently in the final phase of air conditioning, awaiting health evaluations, and ensuring adherence to stringent regulations.
Cross port underwent the closure of its swimming pool, one of the few open-air 50-metre long pools, nearly nine years ago due to technical issues in the engine room. This occurred in December 2015, and since then, athletes in the city have had to seek alternative facilities for training purposes.
Fortunately, both the Cabildo and the Town Hall have surmounted the urban and technical obstacles, with the Insular Aquatic Sports Centre (Cidac) now becoming an irreversible reality. For several months now, the countdown has begun for the official unveiling of this facility, which is in its final stages. Once operational, it will serve the public, local clubs, and stand as a premier sports facility and an approved competition venue, impacting Puerto de la Cruz positively.
The Realejos are also tackling a significant challenge: the establishment of a new swimming pool and the restoration and expansion of the existing one, wherein the site would be utilised for a future sports complex. Progress has been steady on this project as the old pool remains in operation. Following a thorough economic and financial feasibility study, the project drafting contract was awarded in August 2022, serving as the foundation for ensuing developments.
Facilities in Tacoronte, Icod de los Vinos, and Buenavista del Norte have experienced minimal alterations, although in the case of the latter, the pool was shut from February to June for maintenance works. Nonetheless, the remaining parts of the establishment stayed operational, ensuring regular activities.
Saint John of the Rambla presents a unique situation in terms of bathing areas, as the former Las Aguas swimming pool has now become a memory for local residents. The demolition of this area was scheduled from 2010 due to its irreversible damage from erosion caused by adverse weather conditions and the sea. The upcoming project aims to reclaim beach access and expand the seaside area. Consequently, the local population has bid farewell to their pool, yet they anticipate an expanded sea-facing space, a result of the demolition process.
