The new 7-million-euro sports centre being built in Playa Blanca is 90% complete and will open soon. Here’s all you need to know.
The project started during lockdown, and is located behind the bus station as you come into Playa Blanca. The centre will feature swimming pools, multiuse courts for basketball, football, volleyball and handball.
In addition to this the centre will also have a gym, fitness and activity rooms, a cafeteria that can be accessed via the carpark by members & non-members as well as 80 underground parking spaces.
Mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda stated that “the municipality residents will be able to enjoy high-quality sports facilities that will be the benchmark for the island, as the centre includes new energy use systems.”.
The new centre will be split in two halves, one that features swimming pools and the other sports courts. There will be 3 pools in total, one for general use, one intended for teaching children and one for physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
In addition there will also be a sauna and steam room, changing rooms, toilets and seating.
THE MOST MODERN SPORTING PAVILLION ON THE ISLAND
Last year we took a tour of the new sports centre, alongside Yaiza councillor, Ángel Lago.
The first room we walked into is the biggest – the main hall – which will have one large court for major events, which can be sectioned off into three smaller courts for basketball, futsal, volleyball, or handball; or one large one. The baskets are already waiting for the thousands of balls that are due to come their way, and rows of blue seats offer a thousand places for spectators.
There’s a large gymnasium, the machines will be installed by the company that wins the contract to operate the centre.
“Swimming pools aren’t easy,” said Ángel, as we looked over the 25-metre adult pool, the kids’ pool, and a rehabilitation pool, already tiled and marked. He explains the maintenance costs for pools have seen several pools close in Spain recently, but he’s confident the Playa Blanca one will be a success.
The pools will be overlooked by a cardio zone with exercise bikes and rowing machines.
There are several dressing rooms, smaller ones already marked for referees, doping control and sports massage: and larger ones for whole teams.
So, when will the pavilion finally be open to the public? “In May 2023,” says Ángel. “Of course, that’s when the elections are, too, but the timing is coincidental, not on purpose. We’ve been waiting for this for years.”
For regular updates, pictures and videos of Lanzarote be sure to like and follow our Facebook page “Gazette Life Lanzarote”.
