The works in the gymnasium of CEIP Can Misses in Ibiza, started in February and paralyzed for months, will resume “in the coming weeks”, as confirmed by the Department of Education and Universities to La Voz de Ibiza, two days after a group of parents began a mobilization to demand the reactivation of the project and recover the schoolyard of the center.
The covered gymnasium was presented as a historical demand of the oldest school in the municipality at the beginning of the year. However, after starting the works in February, they were stopped in June. Sources from the Regional Ministry of Education and Universities told this newspaper that the works will be resumed “in the coming weeks” and attributed the stoppage to “some discrepancy with the company” awarded the contract, without detailing whether there has been a renegotiation of the contract or a change of conditions.
The Balearic Government, through the public entity IBISEC, is responsible for the construction of the new gymnasium, which will provide the center with a covered space for physical education and school activities.
Meanwhile, this Friday was held the first concentration in front of the work area, in the pedestrian street adjacent to the school, convened by families of students with the support of the AFA, the faculty and the direction of the center. The protest took place just 48 hours after a collection of signatures and a manifesto was launched to denounce that the delay in the gym has left part of the schoolyard unusable, in a context in which the center also drags damage by rainstorms.
Mobilizations
As explained to La Voz de Ibiza Itziar Zameza, one of the delegates of the families, “the mobilizations began on Wednesday with the collection of signatures and a manifesto addressed to the Conselleria”. While the delegate of Education in the pitiusas, Juan Álvarez Rodríguez, was contacted and showed total disposition to listen to the claims of the families.
Zameza confirms that the families have received the message that the conflict with the company is on track, but they insist that the announcement is insufficient as long as there is no clear timetable. “It seems that the works are going to be reactivated, that they have reached an agreement. But there is no date for the resumption. For the time being, we will continue to mobilize every two weeks and see what we have. “She said, stressing that the neighborhood pressure will continue until they see machinery working and concrete deadlines on the table. In parallel, the online collection of signatures was still open this Friday afternoon, with some 260 adhesions registered, according to the spokeswoman.
As for the interlocution with the administration, Zameza acknowledges the gesture of the Territorial Management. “Alvarez has shown himself to be very predisposed. He has offered to have a meeting with any family member of the school. “, he explains. The families see in this offer an opportunity to obtain first-hand information about the gymnasium project, but they point out that, in the meantime, the situation in the playground of CEIP Can Misses remains problematic.
A courtyard diminished by construction and storm
Complaints are not limited to the paralysis of the gymnasium. The families insist that the students have had a large part of the playground unusable for months, both because of the work on the new pavilion and because of the damage left by the DANA in early autumn. ” The children, between the half of the playground that is closed due to these stopped works, and what is happening after the DANA, that there have been damages and part of the playground is closed due to works and the interior playground is also under works (we are thankful that the damages of the DANA are being solved). Between these three parts of the playground, the children complain that they have less space to play. “Zameza describes.
The damages caused by the DANA Alice in the center depend on the Conselleria, which has already ordered the temporary closure of the school and the realization of works to repair leaks and leaks. The CEIP Can Misses remained four days without school activityas this media advanced when the rains forced to suspend classes and later during the staggered return.
Lack of yard maintenance
In addition to these problems, there are complaints about the ordinary maintenance of the playground, a competence in which families look to the City Council of Ibiza. “The maintenance of the playground that is not being done…”,laments Zameza, who shows photographs where broken doors, accumulated garbage and construction materials scattered in different outdoor areas of the center are appreciated.
The Consistory, which has not responded to the claim of families, has told La Voz de Ibiza that this task is the responsibility of the Department of Education.
Lack of information and accountability
Beyond the works and damages, the families underline the discomfort for the absence of clear information during the months of paralysis of the gymnasium. “What scared us the most was the lack of information about what was going on in the gym. We did not know what was going on, if it was going to be reopened and how much. There were versions circulating that it would be put out to bid again. This left half the playground pretty much destroyed and dangerous for the children. “Zameza explains, insisting that uncertainty has been one of the factors that has most strained coexistence at the center.
While the meeting announced by the Territorial Directorate takes place and a date is set for the effective resumption of the work, the families anticipate that they will maintain the mobilization schedule every two weeks. Their goal, they stress, is not only to see the completion of the new covered gym, but to recover a fully operational, safe and well maintained playground for the children of CEIP Can Misses.
