The old barracks of Christ in La Laguna is set to be transformed into a social health centre for the elderly, featuring an innovative initiative prioritising collaborative housing or day care units, as announced by the Tenerife Council this Wednesday.
Águeda Fumero, the fifth vice president of the institution and councillor of Social Action, reported during a press conference that the governing council of the Cabildo has approved the allocation of 406,000 euros for this initiative, which is part of the land’s overall value exceeding 8 million euros.
The Cabildo aims to implement a “highly ambitious” plan to address the numerous social and health needs on the island, with 46 percent of these demands concentrated in the metropolitan area.
Notably, it is nearly impossible to acquire a space similar to that of the old barracks in this region, offering approximately 17,000 square metres in a prime location within the city, surrounded by health and commercial facilities crucial for fostering the independence of older citizens, emphasised Fumero.
Consequently, the Cabildo intends to create a master plan tailored to the needs of the community while steering clear of “a macrocentre”, as well as ensuring the preservation of the San Francisco convent situated on-site, given its historical significance.
The objective is to foster an innovative project that caters to the requirements of individuals without displacing them as their circumstances change, which typically leads to transitions between different centres. This will, therefore, enable those in need to benefit from the same resources within the community they already inhabit.
