Garachico Football Clubs Demand Urgent Repairs to Deteriorating La Caleta Pitch

The poor state of local sports facilities has sparked a new public debate after R.C.D. Gara and J.D. Interián filed a joint complaint. Both clubs warn that the situation at the La Caleta de Interián football pitch has become unsustainable and are calling for urgent action from local authorities.

As the only facility of its kind in Garachico, the pitch serves about 400 youth and adult players every week. The clubs report a long list of problems, including a lack of accessible facilities for people with reduced mobility, crumbling enclosures, and a deteriorating playing surface. Most notably, players are still using temporary construction site containers instead of proper changing rooms—a "temporary" fix that has dragged on for far too long. Other issues include flooding during rain, inadequate shelter in the spectator area, and dangerous parking congestion near the TF-42 road.

This decay is now threatening the upcoming competitive season. Airam Trujillo, coach of R.C.D. Gara, expressed frustration with the lack of action from the City Council, the Island Council (Cabildo), the regional government, and the Federation. He noted that the current lack of maintenance makes it impossible to host games at a professional standard. The clubs are now worried they may be forced to move their matches to other venues if renovations require the pitch to close mid-season.

Garachico’s mayor, Heriberto González, acknowledged that the clubs’ concerns are valid and outlined a plan for repairs. He stated that minor improvements, such as replacing the changing room containers, will happen soon. Larger structural projects—including fixing retaining walls and restoring the original facilities—depend on an island subsidy and reports from the Island Water Council. The local government plans to start the bidding process in September, aiming to have the upgrades finished during the current season.

This situation highlights the ongoing struggle to balance public facility management with the high demand for quality grassroots sports. While local government laws require municipalities to provide adequate sports services, the clubs argue that the necessary financial and technical planning for these aging facilities has been delayed for too long.