The old sports centre of Juan XXIII will be transformed into a large open space with an indoor court, calisthenics area, children's playground, and dog zone. Mayor Bermúdez expects its opening in early 2025.
The capital neighbourhood of Juan XXIII is preparing to unveil next year the first sports park of its kind in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The project, which involves an investment of €2.5 million, will transform the old sports centre into an open space for families, with facilities for children, young people, and adults that will go far beyond traditional futsal and basketball courts.
The Mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, confirmed during a visit to the works that the municipal forecast is to open the facility to the public at the beginning of next year, provided that the work maintains its current pace. The intervention began in August last year and will allow the recovery of a plot that, despite its large dimensions, had until now presented a bleak image and very limited sports uses.
An open but covered sports centre
One of the main attractions will be an open and covered sports centre, a type that is uncommon in the municipality, which will allow sports to be practiced with protection from the sun and rain while maintaining the open character of the facility. Santa Cruz will only have two municipal facilities of this type: the one being built in Juan XXIII and the one planned in María Jiménez.
The cover will expand the possibilities for use throughout the year and improve conditions for those practicing futsal or basketball. The old space lacked enclosures and a clear layout, causing balls to continuously leave the court and end up against the perimeter wall. Bermúdez joked that players ended up exercising more looking for balls outside the court than during the actual games. The new configuration will put an end to that problem and organise the different uses within a facility designed to function as a true community hub.
In this play on words, the Councillor for Infrastructure and Works, Javier Rivero, explained that "when talking about the renewal of Santa Cruz, this goal is pursued from the neighbourhoods, from the hearts of the capital." A phrase that the municipal leader adopted during the visit.
Sports and leisure for all ages
The project includes a calisthenics area, a 3x3 basketball court, a children's playground, a dog area, and a court for practicing bocce. A fixed stage will also be installed in front of the 17 de Marzo Neighbourhood Association headquarters, which can be used for cultural activities, celebrations, and events organised by both the association and the neighbourhood itself.
These uses will be complemented by seating areas equipped with tables and chairs, following the model of other municipal spaces like the parks of La Estrella. The new equipment will be mainly aimed at the residents of Juan XXIII, although its influence will extend to the entire Ofra-Costa Sur district. The project was presented and agreed upon in advance with the neighbourhood association, incorporating various demands raised by the residents themselves to ensure the outcome meets the real needs of the neighbourhood.
With this investment, Santa Cruz aims to decongest large sports facilities and bring quality leisure to the neighbourhoods. The residents of Juan XXIII, who have seen their sports centre deteriorate over the years, will be able to enjoy a modern, versatile space suitable for all ages. The sports park will thus become a meeting point that will energise the social life of the neighbourhood and improve the quality of life for its inhabitants.
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