Tenerife’s new Sea Sports Centre is delayed by a year
Plans for the long-awaited Tenerife Sea Sports Centre (Centro de Deportes del Mar de Tenerife) in Santa Cruz have been pushed back by more than a year, with construction now unlikely to begin until sometime later in 2026.
The project, set for the coastal area of Valleseco, was originally expected to break ground by the end of 2025. However, officials now say the tender process will not begin until key administrative steps are completed.
The Cabildo, working alongside the Port Authorities de Santa Cruz, is finalising an agreement for the transfer of land needed for the development. According to island sports councillor Yolanda Moliné, technical teams from both bodies are completing the legal framework required before the project can move forward.
Once signed, the works will be put out to tender, which she hopes will happen during 2026.
Replacement for the former CIDEMAT facility
The new centre will replace the former Cidemat, which closed in 2020 due to its deteriorating condition and will be demolished once construction begins.
The initiative, presented last year by Tenerife’s vice-president Lope Afonso, aims to restore the capital’s connection with maritime sports after several years without a dedicated facility.
With a budget of over €6 million and an estimated construction period of 21 months, the project will feature a two-storey building with direct access from the San Andrés coastal road.
Plans include:
- A large open public space designed as a “dry marina” and social meeting area
- Ramps providing direct access to the sea for boats
- A landscaped urban park and green areas
- Training classrooms, changing rooms, storage facilities and reception areas
- A café open to the public
Pedestrian walkways will link the site with nearby areas such as Los Charcos and the Carboneras industrial buildings, integrating the facility into the surrounding city.
Landmark tower feature
A central architectural feature will be a tall viewing tower acting as a lookout point, inspired by the lighthouse-style structure that stood at the former Cidemat site. The new design will incorporate shaded areas using mesh coverings, alongside additional green spaces and floating platforms.
The project, backed by the Cabildo, port authority and Santa Cruz council, remains a key development for the city. However, residents and water sports enthusiasts will have to wait longer before seeing work begin on the long-promised facility.
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