After half a year of paralysis, the Bucaramanga Mayor’s Office confirmed the reactivation of sports and recreational infrastructure projects in three sectors of the city. The authorities indicated when these works would be fully completed.
In April 2023, work to remodel and improve multiple sports venues in Bucaramanga began, with the promise that the works would last six months. But nearly 14 months have passed since the interventions began, to date the communities have not been able to enjoy the sports centers that were promised.
In La Floresta, La Salle and Brisas del Mutis, these works were paralyzed for more than half a year. The projects, contracted during the administration of Juan Carlos Cárdenas, were left unfinished and caused problems for the citizens.
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Since mid-2023, communities, sports schools, senior groups, among other populations, have not been able to use these three sports centers in question, due to the mess of debris and construction materials.
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In addition to these sports venues, the local government also has pending works on Paseo España, the Plan Centro and the Glorieta park in San Francisco, among others. Civic leaders, such as councillor Diego Lozada Trujillo, demand speedy completion of the works.
Problems overcome
Following multiple calls and complaints from affected citizens, this week the Mayor of Bucaramanga confirmed the reactivation of these three works and specified when they would be fully completed.
Jorge Alejandro García, Municipal Infrastructure Secretary, answered why these projects were paralyzed for more than half a year.
“Part of the restart of these works is a commitment that the contractor achieved with us, and that, through a transfer of rights, it was obtained that the work could continue, and with the help of the Municipality to execute and comply with the contract,” said the official.
This package of works includes two other sports venues, in the Plazuela Real and Ciudad Bolívar neighborhoods, where the final details are being finalized for their opening to the public.
In total, the value of the remodeling of these five sports centers amounts to around $6,255 million.
“The contractor had difficulties and important negotiations were carried out with him. The most significant agreement reached is that we will finish these stages by August 8 of this year,” García said.
Sports center for more than 50,000 people
The football championships and matches that were scheduled weekly on the La Salle field were affected by these works.
According to the Municipality, the legal problems facing this project have already been overcome and work is once again underway on Carrera 29 and Calle 67.
“We are restarting this important work, meeting with the community, explaining to them the scope that this important project will have for the sector. We are committed to delivering the sand court, which is a multiple court,” said María del Rosario Torres, Undersecretary of Infrastructure of Bucaramanga.
Debate requested on unfinished works
Another project that was due to be completed by the end of 2023 is the restoration of Paseo España, on Carrera 26 between Calles 32 and 37. The Municipality has allocated more than $9.619 million to this project.
Diego Lozada Trujillo, councilor of Bucaramanga, stated this Thursday that “hundreds of residents, merchants and pedestrians live daily with the discomfort generated by this work, which has brought more damage and losses than benefits.”
The lobbyist added that “we call on the Administration and the Council so that the debate on unfinished works is scheduled and carried out promptly. The Bumangueses need answers.”
According to Mayor Jaime Andrés Beltrán this week, “the biggest challenge in these six months has been to unblock more than 162 projects that were handed over to us in disarray,” said the mayor.
