Cinema to be demolished soon

The old, long closed cinema (image above: (c)Google Street View) in the Las Orijamas barrio of Valle Gran Rey is soon to be demolished to make room for a new state-of-the-art health centre. The plans also include the upgrade and incorporation of the adjacent senior's residence and of the existing health centre. The new healthcare facility will have 30 beds for acute cases and a further 30 beds for long-term care. The former cinema building was acquired by Valle Gran Rey's local government recently and the cabildo (island administration) has now approved the allocation of 304.000 Euros for its demolition and site works. A sum of € 8.3 million has been earmarked for the subsequent construction of the new facility, see plan below:

One man drowns, another rescued

Playa de La Calera on a calm day

A swimmer has drowned in the sea at Playa de La Calera, better known as Playa Maria, in Valle Gran Rey on New Year's Eve in the afternoon. The victim was 64 years old and of German nationality. He had been spotted by other swimmers in the sea and been brought ashore where attempts were made to resuscitate the man and an ambulance with a doctor arrived on the scene, but the victim was pronounced dead a short time later.

While this beach is generally considered to be a safe one, the sea conditions were rough at the time with very choppy waters and a strong south-easterly wind with gale gusts.

In a separate incident some time later another swimmer got into difficulties at the same beach. He too was spotted by other people on the beach who called the emergency services on 112 and brought the drowning man ashore while the ambulance with a doctor was on its way. The 49 years old man had a lucky escape as this time resuscitation was successful and he was said to be recovering well in the local health centre.