La Laguna to Convert Disused Center into €2 Million Facility for the Elderly
La Laguna City Council has launched a €2 million project to transform a disused children's center in Valle Jiménez into a 38-capacity day center for the elderly, with bids for the renovation open until July 10.
La Laguna City Council is turning a disused children's center in Valle Jiménez into a new day center for the elderly, a move designed to improve care services in rural areas. The project, located on Camino de los Pedregales, has a budget of just over 2 million euros and is expected to take 18 months to complete once a contractor is chosen. Bids for the project are open until July 10.
The building is currently in poor condition, so the renovation will be extensive. Designed by the public agency Gesplan, the project includes installing an elevator to ensure full accessibility and completely redesigning the two-story interior. Once finished, the center will accommodate 38 people and feature a physiotherapy room, a gym, a hair salon, a podiatry clinic, laundry and kitchen facilities, and a dining area.
Beyond providing essential services, the center aims to tackle social isolation among the elderly. The plans include an outdoor space with an aromatic garden, which will serve as a therapeutic tool for sensory and cognitive stimulation. Ángel Chinea, the municipal head of Public Works, noted that the project not only restores a local building but also supports "active aging," allowing residents to stay in their own community while receiving the care they need.