Yesterday, the Socialist Group of Arona raised concerns regarding the management of sports and youth resources in El Fraile. The primary criticism centres on the recent decision by the Sports department to allow public access to the municipal court, which, according to their complaint, jeopardises the usage of these facilities by the El Fraile Basketball Club, which accommodates around one hundred children. This predicament has instilled worry within the club, even leading to fears of its potential disbandment.
The Sports department of the Arona Council defended this decision, asserting that “a reorganisation of schedules and spaces is underway to ensure that all sports and users have access to the courts,” similar to practices at other sporting facilities within the municipality, thereby dismissing claims that the basketball club is being excluded. The Socialist group noted that families associated with the young players have started gathering signatures, urging the Council to rethink its decision.
No consensus on closure
Additionally, the Arona socialists claim that the issue in the area is exacerbated by the Council’s closure of the Youth House, which they argue “highlights a lack of organisation that adversely affects the youth of the municipality.” Socialist councillor Ruth Lorenzo emphasised the significant population residing in El Fraile—over 9,000 individuals—who, as she pointed out, “are unable to benefit from these facilities.” In this context, the Youth Department clarified that the El Fraile Youth House has not been shut down; instead, it is offering “specific training programmes and two employment training and orientation projects being conducted by the Red Cross and the Ataretaco Foundation in partnership with the department,” they indicated.
Ruth Lorenzo further mentioned that the closure of the Casa de la Juventud “is not an isolated occurrence in El Fraile, but has become prevalent in numerous centres across the municipality,” recalling the recent shutdown of several libraries, including those in Los Cristianos. Lorenzo suggests that the current administration “has restricted young people’s access to services that were previously assured.”
