The Cabildo de Tenerife has contracted the renovation and restoration work of the Altavista refuge, located in Teide National Park, along with the purification station, to the company Dimurol SL facades for a total of €1,534,625.03. The refurbishment is set to commence in May.
Alongside the restoration of the building, the plan includes the installation of ecological cleaners, a photovoltaic system, and enhancements to energy efficiency and proper thermal insulation.
The facility has remained closed since 2020, and the Cabildo has now developed a project and documentation to facilitate the renovation and restoration efforts, aiming to modernise the premises with an emphasis on sustainability and user safety.
According to the island president, Rosa Dávila, the reopening of the Speakers’ shelter signifies much more than the mere recovery of the “historic” structure itself. “We will restore, above all, a vital historical connection between climbers and Teide: a resting and acclimatisation point before reaching the summit, a secure haven against adverse weather,” stated the island leader in a press release.
As such, work is anticipated to begin in May and is forecasted for completion by the final quarter of the year.
Renovation Details
The enhancement and restoration activities will involve the refurbishment and reconfiguration of the existing rooms within the same building volume to improve their functionality, alongside upgrades in insulation and ventilation.
Additionally, the attached module will be refurbished to the building on the existing concrete platform, which is designated for housing battery facilities and fire pressure pumps. Concurrently, energy efficiency measures will be applied, and PVC pipes will be installed for the collection of wastewater produced at the shelter, directing it to the treatment facility.
The treatment plant, suitable for 25 equivalent inhabitants, will include a roughening or fat grate, an Imhoff tank, a biological filter or sampling unit, a booth with filter bags for sludge dehydration, an absorbent well, and masonry walls for the protection and integration of the installations.
About the Refuge
The Altavista refuge, established in the 19th century, has historically served as a pivotal support point for trekkers aiming for the highest ascent to Spain’s tallest peak.
The infrastructure, as noted by the Cabildo, has for over a century been a vital gathering point for rest and acclimatisation for climbers and hikers from across the globe, playing an essential role in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of the ascent to Teide.
