Santa Cruz Approves €2M Sustainable Barranco Grande Field Upgrade

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is investing almost two million euros to completely upgrade the Barranco Grande football field. This project, approved by the local government yesterday, will focus on making the facility more sustainable and energy-efficient. The goal is to bring the field up to modern safety and operational standards, while also cutting down on maintenance costs in the long run.

A major part of the upgrade involves replacing the old artificial turf with a new, state-of-the-art system. This new turf is approved by FIFA and doesn't use the small rubber or plastic pellets (infill) often found in artificial pitches. This is good for several reasons: it's tougher and can handle heavy use, it's better for the environment because it won't spread microplastics, and it needs much less maintenance since there's no infill to top up. To install it, workers will remove the old surface, prepare the ground, and then glue down the new turf with a strong adhesive to make sure it lasts.

To improve energy efficiency and the experience for fans, a metal canopy will be built over the central part of the stands. This roof will give spectators shade and protection. It will also hold solar panels, which will generate electricity to power the field's lights. This move aims to make the facility more self-sufficient in terms of energy. Building the canopy will mean taking down a section of the existing stands.

Additionally, the entire lighting system will be updated. The old, energy-hungry lights will be replaced with modern, low-energy LED lights. New gutters will also be installed to collect rainwater and irrigation water, improving drainage and stopping the field from getting waterlogged. For safety and to keep balls from leaving the area, an eight-meter-high fence will be put up around the field, anchored into an asphalt base. Inside the changing rooms, six-meter-high nets made of polyamide will be installed to stop balls. Lastly, the project includes new goals for both 11-a-side football (with rear arches) and foldable goals for 8-a-side football. These goals are built to resist rust and last longer.