caleta Beach

[bedouin]

More chance of plaiting fog

Harsh, but probably true!

[cdm82]

A rough translation - a combination of google translate and me:


Controversy with the sand of El Castillo beach
Entrepreneurs, traders, institutions and residents have expressed their complaints about the slowness of El Castillo's regeneration works and the lack of information about the project's implementation, changes and delays. But the criticisms not only have to do with the deadlines, but also the sand, extracted from Puerto del Rosario, which is grey; and the neighbours have complained of bad smells.
The group of Podemos en Antigua has publicly denounced, with IU and EQUO, the lamentable state in which the work of "remodeling" of the beach of El Castillo is at the moment, and "the dubious quality of the sand used for its regeneration, that rather than improve the appearance of it, is catastrophic. " The municipal spokesman for the group, Pau Quiles, explained that this coast was a natural cove of golden sand, with great charm, and stresses that "if no one prevents it, then  after the works, it will become a shoreline full of mud and sludges ".
The regeneration of the beach has been carried out with "of so called sand, of dubious quality due it's area of ​​origin, which is none other than the dock of Puerto del Rosario, the area where on numerous occasions  the pumping station has overflowed, and where there is an underwater outfall where the fecal water discharges of the capital city is expelled to the sea, creating unhygienic sediments, "summarizes Quiles. Next, he emphasizes that the sand is of "cement grey colour", and it gives off an aroma of putrid organic matter".
After 20 years of waiting for Costas to undertake the project to regenerate this part of the coast, the result has been described by the neighbours as "a fudge to save money and not bring quality sand from other places." They also criticize the "unsightly dam that has risen and divides in two this beach, which stood out for its breadth and possibilities for leisure and sport."
"What is most worrying is the unfortunate condition of the works at the beginning of 2017, as it seems to be advancing at the pace of a tortoise when both the Cabildo,  the Ayuntamiento  of Antigua, Costas and the promoter Sacyr announced that the works would be finished in October 2016, " the most critical parties have reported. Three months later the beach continues to be in the same state and "hopefully won't  increase the budget of 1.9 million euros," said Pau.
The PSOE opposition councilor, Taiset Fuentes, endorses the criticism and says that by taking a walk on the beach you can see that this material is not sand, but a mud that "should never have been accepted for this work."
The socialist questions whether this will not be the reason for a remaining budget, "that it would have to invest in the contribution of a quality sand, since this coast is the main attraction for tourists."
"We will see if the mayor [Juan José Cazorla] and the municipal government are going to go out and take a picture of this new beach of El Castillo, which offers a desolating image," laments Fuentes. The socialist also takes the opportunity to ask the authorities responsible for the project to explain publicly the "fudge committed on this tourist beach."
Boardwalk and needs
In addition to all this "nonsense" that, as they claim, has surrounded the "reform" of the existing beach of El Castillo, the PP proposed to allocate an amount of 1.7 million euros more to improve the promenade and expand it, in addition, to continue the walk towards the area of ​​the Atlantico Center.
"We believe that the current works do not give any benefits to residents of the area or to employment, or to businesses, except for the 'owners' of the area, who are the managers of the Barceló hotel, when there is a large population of people who have no public health center, no nursery, no school, no home for the elderly, among other things, "adds Quiles. Services, he insists, which are much more necessary for the population in which to take advantage of the existing surplus.
On the other hand, the president of the Association of Businessmen of El Castillo (Aeca), Francisco Ufano, has been cautious and prefers to remain silent while waiting for the next briefings, and the conclusion of work on the beach.
Problem of "stability"
In October 2015, the general director of Sustainability of the Coast, Raquel Orts, and the President of the Cabildo, Marcial Morales, presented the project and announced the beginning of the work. Sacyr, is the company carrying out these works for 1.8 million and had a term of 10 months, although they have not yet concluded. In January 2017, Costas admited the existence of a problem of "stability of the sand" that will be deposited in the zone  in the north of the beach and announced the preparation of a report with technical solutions, which at the beginning of February the Cabildo continues to complain about. Among the main actions is the construction of a dyke at the northeast end with 950 cubic meters of rock and the subsequent discharge of 108,117 cubic meters of sand dredged from Puerto del Rosario. In the south, which is more advanced, 200 hammocks and 100 umbrellas have been installed. The southern area is about 63,000 square meters, but the total area of ​​the beach reaches 146,000 square meters. The Cabildo, which has contributed 1.8 million investment, has demanded that "the work is completed before summer because they have already supported enough the entrepreneurs, workers and users of this important tourist center of the island."

Thanks, lets hope it gets sorted, must admit sand is not nice

[Captain Sensible]

They've started work again at the beach - I hope they know what they are doing now

[Johnrgby2]

They've started work again at the beach - I hope they know what they are doing now

I was watching them through Binoculars last evening, they seem to be removing something from the sea loading into lorries and moving it elsewhere, that could be a LONG job.

[flump]

Ill bring my shovel and give them a hand when I come then fatherted lol

[fatherted]

Ill bring my shovel and give them a hand when I come then fatherted lol

And don't forget your sieve lol

[fatherted]

They look to be digging some of the rocks out in front of the "sandcastle" and carting it towards the harbour area and the dozer is levelling them out.

[fatherted]

The "sandcastle" is fast disappearing, by that I mean being moved across to the harbour area and being levelled out. Nice to see some progress at last.

[KWC]

My worry would be the health and hygiene of the sand they used.

It has sewage and other oils/chemical discharged into it when it was in the harbour and must therefore be suspect.

If there is a smell then there is organic materials rotting away and god only knows what else is embedded into it.
They should at the very least carry out random samples in which to test for E-coli and other harmful bugs in that sludge.

I would not set one foot on that beach until an official announcement/evidence document etc was made of its cleanliness.

[ashworth]

My worry would be the health and hygiene of the sand they used.

It has sewage and other oils/chemical discharged into it when it was in the harbour and must therefore be suspect.

If there is a smell then there is organic materials rotting away and god only knows what else is embedded into it.
They should at the very least carry out random samples in which to test for E-coli and other harmful bugs in that sludge.

I would not set one foot on that beach until an official announcement/evidence document etc was made of its cleanliness.

It is the same sand that they have used to cover the beach in the harbour in Rosario.I cant see them using it if it was a health issue. The section in front of the beach Cafe looks fine.

[peggy]

Been to Caleta today.......what a mess!!! The beach is a disaster area and it stinks. God help anyone staying near it.

[Johnrgby2]

Been to Caleta today.......what a mess!!! The beach is a disaster area and it stinks. God help anyone staying near it.

We live in Caleta, but never go to that beach we use the ones {when we do } in front of the hotels,  but I can see them through Binoculars they appear to be attempting to remove something from the sea bed, putting it in lorries and trucking it away??? God alone knows what they are doing I am sure they don,t .

[peggy]

I do feel sorry for anyone going to stay anywhere around the Barcelo area. It's a real mess around there and as i said before there is a bad smell around. Today there was 1 lorry moving sand from one place to a few yards away. I called it "sand" it's more like crushed shells!!!

[woe10]

It's like that Peggy as they do it in layers. When it settles they will put the finishing layer on.
Or so I'm told   

[Mr G]

I have had lunch and drinks many times over the last 6 months at La Perlita, meters from the beach. Never experienced any smells. I walk the promonade from the Atlantico Centre to the harbour area at least 3 times a week and never smelt anything untoward except for the camels by the Beach Cafe. Also use the Barcelo gym 3 times a week and still no smells. Just my experience since September 2016.

[DaveW]

I have been watching the process for over a year now while having breakfast at the beach cafe each morning when we are over.
They put loads of rocks into the sea, use a jcb to thump them down then dig them out which leaves a smooth sea bed for swimmers moving the rocks to the next area to be tackled. The rocks have slowly moved around the bay so should only be a few more months to complete!
I am sure there must be an easier way.

[fossil]

The smell in front of the Barcelo is at its worst when they are watering the grass and plants near to the beach.There is also a foul smell in the White Centre at times near to The Goose and Firkin,probably the drains.
I have sat on the promenade for an hour twice this week ,any smells didn't come from the sand,that's for sure!

[Captain Sensible]

The new 'sand' doesn't smell - I was down there this afternoon.
The rumour is that the regeneration project will be finished by the end of this month (but we've heard that several times!); Latest photos in the Photo Gallery of www.caletafuerteventura.com

[ashworth]

Looks like the Beach should be finished in a few weeks.They have been cracking on with it all week. No smell from the sand and once sun beds and people are on it should look good. They have raised it over 3/4 feet so I don't think it will flood like it did with the 2+meter tides came in. Not sure if they are doing anything south of the camel man but once finished plenty of space for everyone. The sand being crushed fossils etc does not blow about with the wind which is a good thing. Maybe they should use it in the Golf club bunkers.

[Villan]

No smell at all

[woe10]

It can't be any worse than the beach in Barbados, in the posh part by Sandy Lane. It's all broken coral like glass, your feet get cut to ribbons entering the sea, and you can't buy rubber shoes anywhere for less than $50. I've been on a lot of beaches but that's one of the worst. 
Caleta Beach will be Paradise.

[malabu]

Come to Corralejo we have loads to spare, even some Blue flag.

[Captain Sensible]

Blue Flag status is something that the Ayuntamiento de Antigua are aiming to get for the main beach and the Atlantico beaches in Caleta.

Hopefully, everything will be OK in the end - whenever that may be .

[MLA]

Went to see how things are progressing. Here are a few pictures taken today.

Click on image to enlarge.








I did not smell anything untoward, but it did not look particularly inviting.

[emmi]

I was there today too, it is looking good to me, and no hint of any smell.

[erik_tonny]

They seem to need a lot of sand to bury all them bribes.

[ashworth]

Should have the beach area in front of the Barcelo finished in the next few weeks. Its looking good.

[Captain Sensible]

It's nearly finished!!!

The sand mountain has gone, and there's a new curved edge to the beach. 

Latest photos(taken today) in the Photo Gallery of www.caletafuerteventura.com

[DaveW]

Great pictures Steve, only left Wednesday they really got a wiggle on

[Johnrgby2]

Great pictures Steve, only left Wednesday they really got a wiggle on

Was down there this morning, it looks good now, could do with a grader over it to even it out, but i doubt there is that kind of machine on The Island.