Luis Yeray Gutiérrez unveils plans for new 10,000 capacity facility
The Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, announced on Tuesday, 16 September, the plans for a new multifunctional municipal pavilion to be located in Las Mantecas, with an estimated capacity of 10,000 spectators. This facility will host significant sporting competitions, as well as large-scale events such as concerts and fairs.
The presentation of this ambitious project was symbolically held at the Juan Ríos Tejera Pavilion, described by the mayor as the “cradle of local sports,” in front of representatives from local sports entities, municipal councillors, and media. Accompanying Luis Yeray Gutiérrez was María Bencomo, the manager of the Urban Planning department, who outlined the technical aspects of the project.
“We have already started the process of building a major sports infrastructure in our municipality. A modular pavilion capable of hosting major sporting events, as well as congresses, fairs, concerts, and top-tier events,” the mayor revealed, highlighting that this project comes after several years of planning and collaboration among various departments of the Town Hall, including the Autonomous Sports Organisation, the Department of Works and Infrastructure, and the Municipal Services department.
Meeting the Needs of Elite Sports
“We aim to create a modern infrastructure that meets the objectives and needs of the elite clubs based in our municipality. Clubs that compete in national categories and international competitions are in need of a new pavilion, as it is evident that the Santiago Martín has become too small for the demand generated by these teams,” asserted Luis Yeray Gutiérrez.
Simultaneously, La Laguna “gains a multifunctional space that will allow us to manage the presence of major events in the city centre, responding to the community’s demand for their right to peace and quiet,” the mayor detailed.
Site Development and Project Financing
The mayor announced that the Urban Planning department has already initiated a minor modification of the General Urban Development Plan, so that the 42,000 square metre plot in Las Mantecas, located beneath the Faculty of Fine Arts, can accommodate the new sports facility.
“This location has numerous advantages, one being its accessibility,” the mayor insisted, noting that the site “is well-connected by public transport, includes a tram stop, and a bus stop is planned for the TF-5. Additionally, we will have over 800 underground parking spaces.”
“The Town Hall will drive this process, and we want other administrations to join us, as we cannot wait any longer. We are already seeking funding sources, both from Europe and from the Government of Spain, as well as regional and island administrations, because this pavilion will serve the people of La Laguna, but it addresses a demand that encompasses the entire island of Tenerife,” Luis Yeray Gutiérrez indicated, estimating the necessary investment to bring this project to fruition at €32 million.
Planning Allocation
María Bencomo clarified that this plot was initially designated in the General Plan for university use as an Urban Park Free Space; however, the university has informed the Town Hall that it does not intend to make use of it, thus it will become municipal property. The modification of the General Urban Development Plan will ensure that this land is designated as a Sports Free Space, allowing 25% of the plot to be allocated for covered sports facilities.
This translates into a buildable area of 10,591 m², which is approximately double the size of the Santiago Martín Pavilion. The remaining 75% of the plot will be allocated to a sports urban park. “In this way, we not only gain a new pavilion but also a large green area, which will serve as one of the main green lungs of the municipality,” the mayor expressed.
Luis Yeray Gutiérrez conveyed that as this partial modification of the General Urban Development Plan progresses, which could take up to two years, “we will initiate the process to launch an international design competition, as we aspire to create an infrastructure that is not only referenced for its facilities and capacity but also for its design.”
