From the Cabildo of Gran Canaria we have launched a far-reaching and decisive plan for the economic and social reactivation of our island. It reflects our firm vocation to promote employment, economic diversification and improving the quality of life of the people of Gran Canaria. A few weeks ago we incorporated 324 million euros into the Cabildo's government action for investments from remnants that are added to the 207 million already allocated in the 2024 budgets and that included works of importance such as the new Infecar fairgrounds, the virtual set, the port of Taliarte, the MUBEA, socio-health centers, roads, commercial and industrial areas, performances in historical heritage or in spaces declared as World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve, etc.
The new investment plan is an indisputable example of good financial management and economic solvency. These funds, the result of efficient and prudent management, allow us to undertake strategic and emblematic projects designed to continue the social, economic and environmental transformation of our island. Without a doubt important aspects for the future of Gran Canaria.
We have allocated 69 million euros to an additional investment plan that will cover all of the 21 municipalities of Gran Canaria. This effort complements the cooperation plans that we execute annually and that are designed to ensure that each municipality actively participates in the economic and social development of the island.
Never before has the Cabildo carried out such an ambitious investment plan across the Gran Canaria municipalities. It exceeds the total funds of the Cooperation Plan for this entire mandate and is added to the investments destined for the municipalities through the Fdcan, the Vive Summit, the Tourism Consortium, open commercial zones, industrial estates, hydraulic infrastructures, etc
This is another boost to the coordination and determined collaboration with the municipalities that we have presented, together with the 21 municipalities of Gran Canaria, last Wednesday, July 10. This will allow thirty-three emblematic and strategic works to begin on our island in the coming months. Works such as the La Laja swimming pools, the new Popular University or the training tower at the Miller Fire Station in LPGC, among others. Almost 9 million euros.
Also, in the rest of the municipalities, sports centers, public libraries, parking buildings, urban parks, collaborative housing, training centers, funeral homes, municipal offices, cultural centers, day centers and residences for the elderly, fairgrounds or expansion of desalination plants. Thirty-three works that will contribute to significantly improving the quality of life of the men and women of Gran Canaria. An unprecedented event.
With the rest of the resources available in the remnants of the Cabildo, we will be able to undertake the expropriation of land for the new railway line between Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Maspalomas, with an allocation of 16,6 million euros. In addition, funds will be allocated for the rehabilitation and transformation of Pepe Dámaso's house into a museum and the conditioning of the northern site of the Cathedral of the Canary Islands to turn it into an archaeological museum about the origins of the capital of the island, each with an investment of 700.000 euros. Four million euros will also be provided for the expansion of the Canary Museum, a project that has been paralyzed since 2012 and that can now be completed.
With a budget of 23,2 million euros, we will improve various island roads, such as the GC-605, and we will build a new access to the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Additionally, we will invest in essential infrastructure to support economic development and accessibility on the island.
In order to promote innovation and sustainability in our productive sectors, we allocated 666.000 euros to the construction of a circular economy warehouse in the Northern Commonwealth for entrepreneurship, among other projects.
In the social field, we have allocated a total of 52,8 million euros. We highlight the rehabilitation of the old Psychiatric Hospital, which will be transformed into a socio-health center, with an investment of 40 million euros. In addition, properties will be acquired for sheltered housing and the Santa Rosalía building in Telde and the Adepsi Center for Social and Labor Inclusion will be improved, among other projects that seek to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable.
Regarding the environment and energy, we have 17,2 million euros for innovative projects such as the hydrogen plant in Puerto de la Luz that aims to produce green hydrogen, the Tafira Wildlife Recovery Center, the universal accessibility project of the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden or the improvements to the ecoparks in the north and south of the island. We will also support the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with four million euros in various improvements and photovoltaic self-consumption.
Finally, we will manage 124,7 million euros destined mainly to the comprehensive renovation of the Gran Canaria Stadium, the modernization of the Insular Sports Center and the adaptation of the hockey field, among other projects that will significantly improve our sports facilities and public spaces.
I would like to pause briefly on this aspect. We are not allocating this investment to “a football field” but to completing a sports city in which a good number of sports facilities are located, including grassroots sports. Furthermore, these facilities also function as cultural facilities, since each year they host a greater number of concerts, exhibitions, festivals, etc. We are talking about a fundamental infrastructure in the sports and cultural development of the island. Beyond the fact that it will host the 2030 Soccer World Cup, a historic milestone for Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands. The Gran Canaria Arena was inaugurated nine years ago and cost 80 million euros. I don't think that today anyone questions the decisive role that this facility plays in the cultural and sporting spheres.
We are aware that not all of these projects can be executed this year. However, we have established multi-year plans to guarantee that each area of government has the necessary resources to make progress in the awarding and execution of these essential works.
At the moment the Cabildo is executing or is about to execute more than two billion in public infrastructure and equipment in Gran Canaria. We reaffirm our commitment to the future of our island, working tirelessly to ensure that each investment contributes to a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Gran Canaria. Let's move forward, together, building a better future for everyone.
Antonio Moraleséndez
President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria
