Pedro Martín claims that the PSOE is not participating in an “act of trust” and calls for a plan, set timelines, and budget details
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, January 30. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Tenerife’s Cabildo president, Rosa Dávila, stated on Tuesday that the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium will not be sold and assured that it will be in “acceptable conditions” by 2025 to commemorate the centenary of the establishment as a preliminary step towards promoting a “comprehensive refurbishment to have a top-notch stadium in line with the 21st century”.
During an extraordinary plenary session called by the Socialist Group, Dávila mentioned that the guidelines will be outlined in the master plan commissioned by the corporation – with the backing of CC, PP, and Vox – and it will serve to eliminate the “mess” left by the PSOE-CS governing coalition.
In this regard, she has highlighted that the PSOE’s “legacy” is a collapsed cornice and an attempt to “speculate” on an urban development project to “sell the stadium”, something she firmly rejected. “Colors and sentiments are not for sale,” she remarked.
Dávila has invited Martín to participate in the master plan and has also urged him, in his capacity as a senator, to be the Cabildo’s “spokesperson” in the Lower House and present initiatives to resolve the “very serious” immigration issue.
She has accused the previous government of leaving a stadium where security was not guaranteed and made it clear that “by 2025, that will not be the stadium’s image and there will be acceptable conditions to commemorate the centenary.”
Meanwhile, with a budget of two million in 2024 for the island, she has stated that the Cabildo will oversee the renovation of the restrooms and seats, while the club will manage the changing rooms.
She regretted that a “comprehensive renovation” cannot be celebrated in 2025 because the previous government team “did not commence” the planning work, given that they proposed “some project” to relocate the stadium.
Vox spokesperson, Ana Salazar, questioned “what the PSOE is trying to achieve” with a “strategy of alarmism” that impedes working with “constant outbursts and opposition,” emphasizing that an agenda had already been agreed upon in the last plenary session to establish a comprehensive renovation that would enable the centennial celebration of the facilities.
José Carlos Acha, PP’s spokesperson, stated that the stadium “is a symbol” for Tenerife fans, recalling that the drafting of a master plan with the necessary investment had already been approved. He concurred with the president that upon taking office, many works were pending for awarding and resolving the license for CD Tenerife to compete in the league.
He mentioned that the new government team faced urgent works due to falling debris amounting to 335,000 euros, and improvements have commenced in certain premises on San Sebastián Avenue and water pressure, among other measures.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN WITHOUT FAN CONSENSUS
He also noted that the former Cabildo president was considering selling the stadium through an “urban project” to construct another in the metropolitan area, without consulting anyone. He limited the previous Government’s work to the development of a plan and electrical works to broadcast games on television.
Acha assured that there will be “a 21st-century stadium” and it will be achieved with the “participation” of members and fans. He questioned the PSOE’s “insistence” when work on the renovation is already underway.
José Miguel Ruano, CC’s spokesperson, criticized the socialists for requesting an extraordinary plenary session when a motion had already been approved in the previous regular session. “What does the PSOE aim to achieve with this, that they did something in the last term?” he pondered, as Pedro Martín defended the sale of the stadium.
In this respect, he accused Martín of “failing to fulfill” the task of improving the current stadium, emphasizing that “he didn’t do enough” during his time as the island president. “That phase is over, and we have to move forward,” he commented.
He mentioned that there are already committed expenses in ongoing works totaling six million and stressed on providing assurance to the fans as the stadium will remain the ‘home’ of “Tenerfeñismo” and a venue to host major events.
The nationalist spokesperson highlighted that Martín’s time “has passed” and jestingly remarked that it would also pass in his own party.
THE DETERIORATION ORIGINATES FROM THE TIME OF CC
President of the Socialist Group, Pedro Martín, emphasized that the Heliodoro stadium is “a symbol” and should have an “appropriate” utilization.
Therefore, he recalled that during the first meeting of the club in the last term, concerns about the “poor condition” of the facilities were raised, and a refurbishment was requested because “the debris was already falling.”
He mentioned that the possibility of constructing a new stadium was also considered and clarified at that time that “there wasn’t funding for a comprehensive renovation and to build a new one,” and that could only be achieved through a sale, but that “the fans and the club had to decide”, with the Cabildo “setting the rules of the game”.
Meanwhile, he noted that an audit was commissioned from Intemac, pavements were uplifted, a new electrical transformer was installed, a new lighting system, and “several minor repairs” such as restroom refurbishment, which was awarded in June and the works “are currently suspended.”
He emphasized that six million were invested in the stadium, in addition to another 12 million in the Ciudad Deportiva.
He rebuked the nationalists for trying to claim “Tenerfeñismo” with an “empty speech” and mentioned that both the mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez and the first deputy mayor, Carlos Tarife, have expressed support for constructing a new stadium.
Martín demanded more specificity from the president, with timelines and financing, and not just “an act of faith.”
