The renovation of the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium was the subject of an extraordinary plenary session of the Cabildo de Tenerife, which took place at the end of January. During the meeting, the works to be carried out at the facility were discussed.

No present for centenary

The comprehensive renovation of the stadium of CD Tenerife, will not be completed until 2025, the year in which the venue will celebrate its centenary. However, it is expected to be in a decent condition by that time. The renovation was the subject of an extraordinary plenary session at the request of the Socialist Party. It is anticipated that the reconstruction will take place within the next four years.

We would like to be able to celebrate the centenary with a comprehensive renovation of the stadium, but we will not be able to do so because you have not undertaken it, said Rosa Dávila, president of the Tenerife Island Council. Dávila also assured that Heliodoro is not for sale, as was the intention during Pedro Martín's term. He mentioned Martín's intention to sell the current stadium to build a new one. This proposal was approved by the City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife at the time.

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Tenerife prepares budget

It is estimated that the cost of renovating the stands and bathrooms will be €5.9 million, while the club will cover the costs of renovating the changing rooms. In this year's budget, €2 million is allocated to the stadium. Dávila assured that the island will have a top-tier stadium of the 21st century.

At the last ordinary plenary session, the preparation of the general plan and an increase in the budget for 2024 were approved as work progresses on the specifications of the working documentation. The plan will encompass all activities aimed at carrying out a comprehensive renovation of the stadium, and cooperation with CD Tenerife was also agreed upon. With regard to the budget for 2024, if additional funding is necessary, it will be achieved through loan modifications. The agreement emphasizes that the largest payout of funds will occur in 2025, in accordance with the pace set by construction work.

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But there's still no renovation plan

The proposal adopted at the plenary session recalled that on July 11, 2023, there was a collapse of debris on the facade, requiring repair costing exactly €334,823.61. A structural safety inspection revealed that the building's safety is sufficient, but other urgent defects were noted.

Without a project, no work can be done, and today there is no basic or executive project. There is no general plan of works at the stadium; an action plan is needed, the proposal reads. The Island Council assures that the Sports Administration Service is working on urgent project designs and preparing specifications.

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Further amendments already done

In 2009, a project for the improvement and renovation of the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium was prepared, which included a series of renovation works throughout the complex, as well as the inauguration of facilities facing San Sebastián Street, new CD Tenerife offices under the stands, and new media cabins. In 2017, a project was prepared for the renovation of the lobby, locksmith workshop, and horseshoe, as well as the installation of field lighting and electrical systems. These works were completed in 2021.