The plenary meeting of La Laguna yesterday unanimously advocated for a senior citizens’ centre in Valle de Guerra. This is detailed in the institutional motion put forth by the local government (PSOE-CC), which received support from all parties to initiate actions for the enhancement of essential resources for this locality.
The first point of the agreement notes that, “there being land designated for public use in the PGO in Valle de Guerra, where the provision for social and health services is compatible and therefore, space is available for a senior citizens’ centre in this area, urging the relevant regional and insular authorities and organisations to plan and implement it, with this council undertaking the necessary actions to make the required land available for this initiative.”
Moreover, the council has committed “to quickly commission the drafting of the project to expand the community centre” in this locality, reflecting this ambition “in the 2026 budgets.” The aim is for the project to go to tender “before the end of this term, commencing with a brief participative process beforehand.”
The remaining points of the agreement outline additional commitments undertaken by the council for Valle de Guerra, such as “acquiring the necessary land and establishing the parking areas for the José Gutiérrez El Chaval wrestling field and the Gregorio Dorta football field.” Plans will also continue “with the required procedures to design and execute the Valle de Guerra urban park in the next term, once the modification of the PGO is finalised,” which is currently in process.
Another agreement was to “urge the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Cabildo to implement the proposed actions in the Ecoaxis and the Urban Agenda, primarily focusing on the peri-urban park (in the lower area of the Lope de Guerra school) and the agricultural project planned on the property of the insular Corporation.”
In addition, “the collaboration of the Valle de Guerra associations in all these processes will be fostered, through the establishment of a monitoring committee that will include representation from various municipal sectors and neighbourhood spokespeople.”
Hardisson
The plenary session also approved, with only the abstention of Vox and the non-attached councillor, a motion presented by Unidas to evaluate, alongside the Cabildo, the Canarian Women’s Institute and the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, the best approach to recover and utilise Clemencia Hardisson’s family home in the Gracia neighbourhood, “as a memorial space for the remembrance of women and their struggle for a more equitable society,” the document states.
There was also support to “collaborate on the establishment of a Place of Democratic Memory in that building, providing it with the necessary funding to promote the legacy of Clemencia and all the Canarian women who fought for a society based on freedom, equality, justice, and democracy.” Additionally, efforts will be made to “seek the financial backing needed to actualise this proposal as quickly as possible.”
Another motion from Unidas may have proceeded, with an amendment accepted by the Government group and unanimously, to request from the Cabildo “information on the current status of the project for the Insular House of Crafts on San Agustín Street, urging it to resume the necessary renovation works for its implementation in the shortest time possible, adhering to the commitments made concerning this, among other points of the agreement to continue promoting and supporting crafts in the municipality, along with the artisans.”
An additional motion from this group was approved, with an amendment agreed upon with the local government, to “include as a project within the city council’s modernisation plan, the study for implementing a communication channel via WhatsApp” for citizen engagement, following the current legal framework.
Neptune Hotel
Conversely, during the debate regarding a motion on security along the lagoon coast, the mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez (PSOE), recalled the situation of the old Hotel Neptuno, in Bajamar, stating that “this year we are going to commence, in a subsidiary manner, allocating more than half a million from public funds, for the demolition” of this structure, which is in a state of disrepair.
In connection with this, the Councilor for Works, Ángel Chinea (PSOE), also highlighted that “one of the actions scheduled in the new budget is the stabilisation of the Camino del Lobo,” which begins at this old hotel and leads to Arenal beach. However, the mayor reminded everyone that swimming is prohibited on this beach, “and this is clearly stated on the vertical signage at the entrance,” he emphasised. They both also pointed out that a new access to this beach is under consideration, with the collaboration of the Cabildo through the Tenerife and the Sea programme.
Meanwhile, during the questions segment, Unidas inquired whether the elevated plaza situated between the Plaza del Doctor Olivera and the side facade of the La Concepción church is owned by the church, since, as the party had previously condemned in a statement, “the Bishopric ordered the removal of tents intended for children’s activities” in the square during the White Night, “claiming ownership of it.”
The councillor for Economic Services, Paqui Rivero (PSOE), replied that “both areas comprising the perimeter surrounding the La Concepción church on two of its sides are public squares that are recorded as such. Consequently, they are municipal assets and are thus listed in the municipal inventory.”
The plenary session paused in the late morning for a minute of silence in front of the town hall, following the confirmation of a woman’s murder in La Rioja last October as a case of gender violence.
