The work of first Island Water Sports Center (Cidac) in Tenerifethe new pool complex being built by the Cabildo in Cross portwill eventually raise its cost above 14 million euros, about two million euros more than initially proposed. After several unforeseen events, it is expected that within a month the last obstacles that have appeared on the plot will be overcome, which would allow progress and start with the pool filling tests between February and March 2023. The scheduled date for the definitive opening of this great space for sports such as swimming, rescue, water polo or synchronized swimming is located in september 2023almost eight years after the breakdown that forced the old municipal swimming pool of the tourist city to be closed permanently.
The president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Pedro Martin (PSOE), visited this work this Monday, September 5, 2022 together with the mayor of Porto, Marco González (PSOE); the insular director of Sports, Ángel Pérez, and the mayor of Sustainable City, David Hernández (ACP), among other authorities. The technicians stressed that the percentage of budget execution is already around 35%, although as regards the material execution of the works, that figure rises above 50%.
The causes of the slowdown in this work, and its increase in cost, lie in the appearance of sanitation collectors not registered on the plotthe problems caused by the relocation of the occupant of an adjoining dwelling and, above all, by the existence in the area where the stands of a major electrical transformer, which Endesa has promised to transfer shortly. In addition, the rising cost of materials has also forced the Cabildo to modify the initial budget which, according to Peter Martinis already around 14.3 million euros.
The insular president recognized that at the moment it is in «an important phase in which, after solving the problems that have arisen, a definitive boost is being given to the execution of this insular center, which will be the Tenerife swimming pool. In addition, it will have state-of-the-art technology for both water treatment and air conditioning. The cover of the stands will be full of photovoltaic panels and there will be two 60-meter wells that intend to extract heat from seawater, with the difficult challenge of trying to generate 100% of the energy necessary for the installation.
“This was a long demand from the City Council and the citizens of Cross port which will also be the great swimming pool on the island of Tenerife. It is a work of an important dimension that has had to be modified to solve the problems that have arisen, but we trust that in the middle of next year we have it practically finished for the use and enjoyment of the people of Porto and the rest of the island’s inhabitants”, he stressed Peter Martin.
The remaining 12 months of work until September 2023 will allow the installation to be completed
There will be two large cups, one of which can be approved for competitions and official tests, and a third for therapeutic use. Two gyms and different changing rooms for clubs and for external users, as well as stands for about 700 spectators and a cafeteria with a terrace with views of the sea and Mount Teide. The rear of the stands will be a garden towards the street, where skylights and natural lighting points are located for the changing rooms, offices and common areas.
Mark Gonzalez wanted to thank the commitment of the Cabildo with an investment that “Puerto de la Cruz deserves” and that it will be key to “continue reinforcing the balance of the island with a modern and cutting-edge infrastructure, at the height of the historical demand of the citizens and of the Porto clubs that hope to be able to return to what will be their home very soon”.
Pending use agreement
The mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Marco González (PSOE), assured yesterday that work has already begun on the agreement for the use of the future Insular Center for Water Sports, so as to guarantee its use by the residents of the city and the federated sports clubs. The president of the Spanish Swimming Federation, Fernando Carpena, visited the works in July to advance all the requirements for the homologation of this swimming pool for competitions, “one more step towards the conclusion of an agreement that will be ready next year, before the work is finished”, announces the mayor.
“We have been able to verify that the works already exceed 50% execution and that, once that last matter of the transformer station is solved, we will be able to see in February how the pools begin to fill. Our Government appreciates to the company, Gestur and the Cabildo that at last this insular center is on its way to becoming a true benchmark». And he added that «the work is being done well; There is no rush or electoral interest in advancing to put up a poster. It is a priority work for the Cabildo and for the City Council, as has been demonstrated with the incorporation of all the necessary financial resources.
The technicians advanced that diatom filters will be used for water treatment, which are fossils capable of optimizing water quality, and that together with the Spanish Swimming Federation They will assess the final dimensions of the enclosure wall towards the sea, so that the wind is not an impediment for the homologation of marks.
Chronology
2015
The rupture of a pipe and the flooding in the machine room of the old pool, on December 13, 2015, forced the facility to close overnight.
2016
The Cabildo de Tenerife took on the solution of the problem in February 2016, when it was announced that the municipal swimming pool would become the future Insular Water Sports Center (Cidac).
2017
In March 2017 it was recognized that the demolition of all the facilities would be necessary and a basic project of the new project was presented.
2018
In July 2018, the collaboration agreement between the Cabildo and the Porto City Council was approved for the execution of the project.
2019
In February 2019 the final project arrives. In October, the land was already available and in November 2019 the works were put out to tender, budgeted at around 11.8 million euros.
2020
In October 2020, Costas granted the necessary extension to carry out the works in 24 months. On November 3, 2020, the works begin, with the demolition of the old building, and an execution period of two years is announced.
2021
The works are delayed due to the appearance of sanitation collectors whose location was not registered and due to problems with an adjoining house and with a power station.
2022
On September 5 it is announced that the cost increases above 14 million euros. December marks the 7th anniversary of its closure.
2023
The latest forecast indicates that the pools could be filled between February and March 2023, but the works will not be completed until September 2023, which is the scheduled opening date.
