La Laguna Readies Environmental Review for New Sports Hall

La Laguna is moving ahead with plans for a major new municipal sports and events hall on the Las Mantecas site. A crucial step has been taken: the city now has the technical paperwork needed to start an environmental review. This review is vital for changing the town's main urban development plan, which sets out how land can be used and where facilities can be built.

The City Council confirmed it has all the technical documents ready to request this environmental assessment. This is a mandatory step to make a small but important change to the urban plan, which will officially designate the Las Mantecas plot for the new facility. These documents will soon be sent to the Cabildo de Tenerife, the island's environmental authority. The Cabildo must then issue a required Strategic Environmental Report, which is legally necessary before the project can move forward.

Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez emphasized that this progress shows the city's dedication to an important project. He said it will give La Laguna a top-tier facility for sports and cultural events. The mayor added that all necessary technical and administrative steps are being fast-tracked, in cooperation with the Cabildo, to ensure the urban plan change happens as quickly as possible.

The mayor explained that the new hall isn't just for local sports. It's designed to be a multi-purpose venue, able to host major events, boost the local economy, and improve public facilities. Its location is considered ideal, being close to the tram, the TF-5 highway, and the university. This new venue is also expected to ease the strain of large events on the historic city center, addressing a common public concern.

The package being sent to the Cabildo includes a detailed Environmental Study and urban planning documents. These explain why the change to the urban plan is needed for the specific design of the plot. This study will assess potential impacts on the environment, traffic, landscape, noise, and how the building fits into the city. It will also suggest ways to prevent or fix any issues, as required by law.

Adolfo Cordobés, the Councillor for Spatial Planning, called this a crucial step. He said it will allow a currently unused but strategically important area of the city to be transformed. He added that it will boost the economy, improve transport links, and give residents a modern, accessible venue for sports and major events. Cordobés praised the dedication and professionalism of the Urban Planning Management's technical team, whose complex work has been essential to moving this project forward.

Once the Cabildo provides its Strategic Environmental Report, the City Council can then propose the initial approval, open a period for public feedback, and continue with all necessary steps until the urban plan change is finally approved. At the same time, the council will keep working on the pavilion's technical designs to speed up its construction. The City Council is committed to building this facility, which the mayor believes will become a landmark for La Laguna and the whole island. It's part of a bigger plan to update public facilities, boost sports and culture, and improve the quality of life in the municipality.