La Laguna and Tenerife Cabildo Clash Over Proposed Sports Complex Development
Tensions have escalated between the La Laguna City Council and the Tenerife Island Council over land disputes and planning disagreements regarding a proposed new sports pavilion in Las Mantecas.
Tensions are rising between the La Laguna City Council and the Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo) over plans for a new sports complex in the municipality. La Laguna’s mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, has accused the island’s vice president, Lope Afonso, of blocking the development of a proposed pavilion in the Las Mantecas area.
The dispute centers on land availability. While the Cabildo claims more land is needed for the project, Mayor Gutiérrez insists the city already owns suitable plots. According to the City Council, the project is planned for two sites: a 47,000-square-meter plot already owned by the city, and a 45,000-square-meter plot that the council expropriated from the University of La Laguna two years ago.
For local officials, this project is a necessary response to a shortage of facilities rather than a political move. They argue that the current Santiago Martín pavilion is at capacity, limiting the growth of the local basketball club and hindering other national-level sports teams. The mayor also noted that the new venue would host large-scale events and concerts in a way that minimizes noise and disruption for nearby residents.
The debate also highlights broader concerns about how island investments are distributed. Mayor Gutiérrez has questioned whether sports infrastructure in Tenerife is too focused on Santa Cruz, calling for a fairer approach to planning strategic projects across the island. Although the city is eager to proceed, the mayor acknowledged that the project requires collaboration with other government bodies to secure necessary permits—a process currently stalled by the disagreement over land.
Meanwhile, Aniano Cabrera, president of the La Laguna Tenerife basketball club, has remained cautious. While he emphasized the need for better facilities for the club’s future, he also spoke positively about their current home at the Santiago Martín.
Ultimately, the situation highlights the ongoing difficulty of coordinating local municipal goals with island-wide authorities, particularly when it comes to land management and the funding of major public projects.