Tenerife surprised by La Laguna's plans for a new 10,000-seat pavilion
The Vice President of the Cabildo of Tenerife has expressed surprise at La Laguna's plans to build a multi-purpose pavilion with 10,000 seats, emphasizing the need for coordination with the Island's Planning Plan.
The Vice President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Lope Afonso, was surprised by the news of a new multi-purpose pavilion with 10,000 seats in Las Mantecas, which was announced yesterday by the La Laguna City Council. He says he knows nothing about it. Furthermore, according to him, they are planning to build something similar on the site of the former oil refinery in Santa Cruz.
The Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, stated that the construction will cost 32 million euros and that they will seek funds from other organizations.
Afonso told reporters that he was "surprised" and that he had not received any proposals regarding this project from La Laguna – neither official nor unofficial.
He also emphasized that if the City Council wants to build such a large facility that affects the entire island, it is necessary to obtain permission in accordance with the Island Spatial Plan of Tenerife (PIOT).
Regarding the construction in Santa Cruz, Afonso reminded that the project is still in its initial stage. A few months ago, the Cabildo approved a relevant proposal.
José Miguel Ruano, who is responsible for territorial planning, added that the idea to build an arena on the site of the former oil refinery belongs to the Government of the Canary Islands.
According to him, a special commission has been created for this purpose, which includes representatives of the Santa Cruz City Council, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the Government of the Canary Islands. They have to decide what to do with the large territory of the former oil refinery. Ruano acknowledged that it will not be quick, as it is first necessary to dismantle all the equipment at the oil refinery.
This process, which includes, for example, the transfer of petroleum product storage to the port of Granadilla, is a "major territorial operation."
He also noted that one of the advantages of the arena on the oil refinery site would be that it would be located closer to the south of the island.
In any case, he assured that any proposal from any city council on the island "will definitely be considered."