Sports are ingrained in their essence. A testament to this is that, in this term, she oversees the area she is most familiar with, the Department of Sports and Quality of Life of Santa Cruz City Council. Alicia Cebrián (PP), an elite Olympic sportswoman and Gold Medalist of the city, is resolute about her mission to enhance the quality of life of residents through physical activities. Personally, however, her ultimate aspiration revolves around reviving the Marine Activities Centre (Cidemat) for the capital.
-What initiatives have been launched to enhance sports infrastructure in the capital?
“Numerous projects have commenced this year with the anticipation that they will be completed in two years. These are ambitious undertakings that necessitate considerable time for development, yet we expect to see them finished by 2026. Together with the Infrastructure department, which is managing the execution, and under the supervision of Sports, we are currently undertaking work to cover the school football fields. This includes four centres where construction has already finished, with the remaining works in progress. Upgrades related to the football fields will involve replacing the grass, stands, dressing rooms, irrigation, and lighting.”
-What projects will take precedence in the 2025 budget?
“A priority will be the sports facility in Los Gladiolos, which will feature the first pump track for sliding sports (skateboards, scooters, bicycles, or roller skates). We have secured funding from the Government of the Canary Islands, and it will be a highly innovative and powerful facility, incorporating spaces for activities such as 3×3 basketball and an area designated for outdoor training, equipped with vandal-proof sports equipment. It will be secure and monitored, ensuring its longevity. This project commenced at the beginning of the year but is expected to be operational in 2026. Furthermore, there will be an ambitious installation of a climbing wall within the Las Delicias sports complex, aimed at meeting the requirements set forth by the Spanish Federation, as we plan to host national championships in this space. With the recent Olympic recognition of climbing, the wall will include a vertical section and a bouldering area for horizontal climbing. Additionally, the Las Retamas pool at the Altafit complex is another collaborative project, already approved and just awaiting the award process, set to kick off in early 2025 with the aim of completing by the end of the year.”
-Are there ongoing projects being managed by the Sports service directly? How are these progressing?
“We are set to commence repairs on the Miguel Pintor school pool in 2025, which will entail improvements around the pool area, new changing rooms, and an extension of the pool to accommodate extra lanes. We also plan to refurbish the Ana Bautista pavilion; clubs that train there have agreed that summer is the ideal time to begin these works, which will include replacing the flooring, enhancing the lighting, and upgrading the hot water supply. Furthermore, the changing facilities at Juan Santa María football field and Kiko Cabrera will be renovated, supporting the new Paco Álvarez pavilion. This project has already been approved and is currently in the bidding phase. Additionally, next year, we will initiate accessibility enhancements in the Acidalio Lorenzo pool and at the Pancho Suárez field, as well as in Taganana field and the El Sobradillo football field project. Similarly, a lateral enclosure will be constructed at the Las Delicias basketball court, and we will conclude the self-protection plans for the pavilions.”
-What is the status of works on the Barranco de Santos sports complex?
“We are aiming to launch the renovated facilities at the start of January, managed directly by the Sports department. Since the complex was closed on September 15, we have been preparing the specifications for tendering the new management, which will be conducted by the service itself until a contract is awarded to one of the participating companies.”
-Is there sufficient sports infrastructure in Santa Cruz?
“We are lacking in sports halls, which are in considerable demand, particularly as federated sports have a large following with many clubs seeking such facilities. Conversely, we have ample outdoor sports areas, such as small fields that we have improved and renovated. We have even transformed some into multipurpose spaces. Over time, we standardised a 4×20 sports space model, which was equipped years ago with football hoops and goals, limiting its use to young individuals aged 14 to 17. We are now adding other equipment to make them accessible to girls, younger children, and the elderly.”
-And what about water sports?
“Since my appointment to the Department, our primary focus has been to enhance access to sea sports. Currently, at Las Teresitas beach, we have established an exceptional outdoor sports area. We initiated this with beach volleyball and beach tennis nets, adding a fixed beach water polo field just off the shore, which has also been introduced at Los Charcos de Valleseco. Additionally, we provide a designated area for sand sports, where annual events such as an international Ultimate frisbee championship or exhibitions of Canarian wrestling take place. We have also hosted national beach tennis competitions and for the past three years, an international regatta at Las Teresitas, along with various swimming events like the upcoming San Salitre. Through these initiatives, we demonstrate our capability to provide an entry point to the sea for sports practice.”
-A project to reform the Cidemat was proposed by the Cabildo a year ago. What updates are available?
“When the Council approved this initiative, the city council raised concerns upon discovering aspects that could be improved. However, there have been no further developments reported since. This facility was vital and groundbreaking; its closure four years ago has severely impacted water sports and has deprived many individuals of the chance to engage in sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, canoeing, rescue, lifesaving, and diving. Therefore, one of my ambitions is to reinstate the Cidemat for Santa Cruz.”
-How do you encourage the population to participate in sports, especially children and adults?
“We aim to provide citizens with increasing opportunities to engage in sports, striving to make facilities more adaptable while also promoting modern sports. Continuing to fix or develop new sports areas with outdated philosophies from the 80s and 90s simply does not make sense. In addition, we have introduced the healthy recipe initiative, which includes having a Physical Activity and Sports Sciences graduate at the Añaza sports complex, who prescribes appropriate exercises to encourage particularly the elderly to engage in regular activity. We consider our older population and, through the Santa Cruz Entrena programme, offer numerous activities tailored for them.”
-Do you continue to assist less fortunate families with sports activities?
“Through the Sports service, along with IMAS, we ensure that any child from a disadvantaged background who wishes to join a basketball club can do so at no cost. The same applies to those requiring any sort of sports equipment.”
-Will the new cycle lane promote bicycle usage?
“The cycle lane represents a fascinating initiative, as it provides a healthy and eco-friendly way to navigate the city. In light of this, we are offering bicycle riding courses across various districts, and we will soon launch an awareness campaign to encourage the public to recognise the benefits and utilise bicycles as a form of transportation.”
-What would be your main challenge in the Sports sector?
“I have outlined six objectives that encapsulate the mission of the Sports service, focusing on enhancing the quality of life of citizens and contributing to their happiness through the practice of sport and physical activities while improving the condition of sports facilities and spaces, and promoting socially beneficial programmes.”