The Governing Board of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, overseen by the mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, has provisionally approved a study endorsed by the Governing Council of the Municipal Urban Planning Management (GMU). This initiative aims to equip Casa Pisaca with a parking facility accommodating 300 vehicles, a covered sports hall, a children’s play area, calisthenics zones, a multi-sports court, and shaded living spaces through pergolas or vegetation, as highlighted by the municipal councillor.
In addition, Javier Rivero, the councillor responsible for Infrastructure and Works, emphasises that “as part of the El Toscal Special Plan, any new constructions designated for residential purposes require prior processing with a detailed study approved by the Municipal Urban Planning Management. Additionally, it must have a favourable report from the Island Council’s Historical Heritage.” He further stresses that “the management action taken last Friday, December 27, by the Governing Council of the Municipal Urban Planning Management is in accordance with this.”
On December 27, the GMU’s Governing Council sanctioned the detailed study prepared by the Technical Service of Urban Projects, led by municipal architect José Ángel Alfonso Tosco. The purpose of this is to establish a parking lot for 300 vehicles along with a covered sports area, a children’s area, calisthenics spaces, a multi-sports court, and shaded living zones through pergolas or surface vegetation.
“This initiative – according to Javier Rivero – represents the initial stride towards honouring the commitment made to the El Toscal residents. This encompasses both the provision of parking and the covered sports hall, whilst also preserving the essence of the Pisaca sports fields.” Rivero elaborates that “hence, a free surface area is being envisioned to transform into a communal and social gathering spot, covering a total built area of 11,300 m2.”
Parking
The parking facility is projected to accommodate 305 spaces within an area of 6,500 m2, exceeding the proposals outlined in the El Toscal Special Plan. It will feature two two-way entrances: one located at the junction of Santiago Street and Paseo Pintor Teodoro Ríos, and another at the junction of San Miguel Street and Paseo Pintor Teodoro Ríos. The entrances will be managed by a robotic car lift system.
Indoor Sports Hall
The comprehensive area will span 2,500 m2, with the entrance to the new covered sports hall positioned adjacent to Casa Pisaca, where the existing courts facing the children’s park are currently located. The hall will have a height of 7.5 metres, and it is anticipated that it will include a multi-sports court with seating, an open-plan versatile room, offices for administrative services, meeting venues, and spaces for sports teams, supplemented by toilets and changing facilities.
Open Surface Space
The development of diverse activity areas on the surface is also in the pipeline, serving as a crucial component to realise a spacious outdoor community area. This will feature an expansive square of 2,300 m2 designed with a multi-sports court for football and basketball, equipped with seating, a children’s play area, and fitness space, all within an accessible environment, complete with access ramps from San Miguel Street to San Fernando, alongside more than 500 m2 of green gardens.
Preservation of Casa Pisaca
This proposal provides a respectful and coherent approach towards safeguarding the heritage values of Casa Pisaca, ensuring that it does not compete in height but rather conforms to a linear volumetry on a single storey. This design will serve as a distinctive platform for developing recreational activities above ground and will not overshadow Casa Pisaca; instead, it will allow the structure to be appreciated within the broader urban landscape.
With the initial endorsement given on Friday, December 27, for this detailed study, the Municipal Urban Planning Management is set to disseminate it via various bulletins and media, along with releasing public information for a month and seeking input from the Historical Heritage service of the Cabildo of Tenerife.
