The first facility is now operational at CEIP Punta del Hidalgo, with more to follow at CEIP Camino de la Villa and CEIP Clorinda Salazar.
The Autonomous Sports Organisation (OAD) of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, in collaboration with the Education and Youth Department of the Council, has recently launched a pioneering project aimed at promoting physical activity and motor skills development in local primary schools.
Project Overview
The initiative includes the installation of beginner climbing walls, tailored for schools and designed to encourage safe sport and play among young children. The local government’s investment amounts to approximately €18,000, reflecting its commitment to children’s welfare and the promotion of healthy habits.
Community Response
Badel Albelo, president of the OAD, highlighted the strong positive reception the project has received and the efforts of the technical teams: “The response from the educational community has been very encouraging, and our technicians have already been on-site conducting the necessary inspections.”
Albelo, who also serves as the local councillor for sports, added, “By installing these climbing walls, we are making a significant stride in our commitment to childhood development and promoting healthy habits from an early age. We want sport to be experienced as a space for learning, trust, and teamwork, ensuring that every school in La Laguna becomes a place where physical activity is fostered in a creative, inclusive, and safe manner.”
Focus on Youth Activity
Sergio Eiroa, the councillor for Education and Youth, emphasised that “the opening of this new climbing wall represents a firm commitment to encouraging physical activity among young people, offering them innovative sports alternatives that contribute to a healthy, active lifestyle. Having this facility within an educational centre adds special value, as it allows students to become familiar with healthy leisure options from a young age, complementing their academic training and supporting their overall development.”
Future Installations
The first climbing wall is already operational at CEIP Punta del Hidalgo, with new modules set to be installed soon at CEIP Camino de la Villa and CEIP Clorinda Salazar. In this initial phase, priority has been given to schools with suitable infrastructures, while others requiring structural upgrades will be addressed in a second phase.
The proposal has sparked significant interest among local schools, which have already reached out to the OAD to join the project. Following these requests, municipal technicians have carried out the necessary inspections to verify the suitability of the facilities, ensure safety, and identify the walls where the climbing walls will be placed, which will also feature a children’s artistic mural.
Benefits of Climbing
Climbing for children enhances coordination, balance, strength, and agility, while stimulating cognitive development through planning challenges and problem-solving. It also supports emotional development by helping to overcome fears, boost confidence, and promote socialisation through teamwork.
Through this project, the La Laguna Council reinforces its commitment to an active and healthy lifestyle from childhood, while also encouraging students to explore new sporting disciplines.
