Torrevieja's Animal shelter houses 619 animals in 2009

Pillar González Cifuentes Torrevieja’s Councilor for Health announced that in 2009 local authorities picked up and cared for a total of 619 animals, of which 483 were dogs, 122 cats, plus14 other species such as gulls, 2 eaglets, a ferret and a tarántula!

The facility’s busiest months were June (89), October (79), May (76) and August (51). Some of the animals collected are protected species of which 12 were sent to recovery centers, including San Vicente of Raspeig who received 2 iguanas, 1 kestrel, 2 eaglets and the ferret. The aim of the recovery centres is to release the animals into their natural habitat once they are deemed healthy enough to fend for themselves.

The municipal pound also has to deal with the unfortunate victims of traffic accidents, with every effort made to help the animals recover from their injuries rather than just putting them to sleep. All of the animals, especially the dogs and cats are available for adoption.

The 619 animals collected or given into the shelter, are but a small portion of the real number of abandoned pets to be found around the area, with local charities such as SAT, PADS, PAWS, Joe the Cat Man and others also providing a valuable service. All of these outlets have some fantastic pets looking for a second chance for a loving home, so if you are thinking of adding a pet to the family, please have a look at their animals, remembering that they are already house trained and used to family life.

It’s a blue flag, but not quite as know it!

Over the past few years there has been a bit of confusion over the state of Torrevieja’s beaches; and the flying of flags. There are a number of different organisations that survey beaches for quality control, with the Blue Flag being recognised as the most common guide to quality. However, Torrevieja has taken a different stance and invited other companies to grade their beaches and facilities. The result being that Blue Quality flags are but one that shall be flying over her beaches this summer.

Torrevieja’s mayor, Pedro Hernández Mateo, accompanied by the Councillor for Beaches and Infrastructure, Eduardo Gil Rebollo, announced that La Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación (AENOR) has awarded the Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja the distinctive  “Banderas de Gestión Ambiental y Gestión de Calidad”, which carry the certificates AENOR (ISO 9001 e ISO 14001) confirming that the city’s beaches once again have reached the necessary standards of quality.

From April through October 2010, the Playas de Torrevieja  (Playa de La Mata, Cabo Cervera, Los Locos, El Cura, Los Náufragos shall all be proudly flying two flags, Blue and Green, outlining the status of the beaches, the quality of the sand, cleanliness, facilities, Red Cross, emergency services and disabled facilities, to name but a few. 

Torrevieja’s Sports City complex to be expanded

It’s all systems go for Torrevieja’s new Sports City with 80% of the complex expected to be finished by the end of March. Along with the planned sports centres, Torrevieja’s Town Hall announced this week that a third Pavilion is to be built on the ground presently occupied by the tennis and basketball court, beside the blue roofed Cecilio Gallego Pavilion.

The budget for the new project has been set at €1,100, 475, with the project still to out to tender. The hall is designed for two levels and will offer facilities primarily for such sports as Rhythmic Gymnastics, Ballroom dancing, marshal arts and aerobics along with dressing and training rooms plus physiotherapy.

This new development is additional to the planned complex that should be almost fully operational just after Easter. Although changes have been made to the original plans, a lot of residents are eagerly awaiting to see the new tennis and paddle courts, squash centre, multi-purpose all weather football, rugby and cricket pitch with seating for 3,000, the 1,000 seat Tennis arena, weight rooms, training facilities plus two additional seven-a-side football fields. 

Once completed, Torrevieja shall have one of the most enviable sports centres within the Valencian Community, especially when the existing Pavilions and Olympic class swimming pool are also added to the excellent facilities on offer. Add to this the planned expansion of the Football Stadium, Torrevieja certainly has something to feel proud about.

Business Group Espana present their anti-crisis plan to Torrevieja Town Hall.

Last week, Business Group Espana (BGE) introduced themselves to delegates from Torrevieja’s Town Hall, explaining what they do, how they do it and their action plan for beating the recession in 2010. The 25 strong member group is comprised of legal Spanish businesses located in the Torrevieja area, dedicated to promoting themselves and other group members through the power of networking and referrals.

BGE President Warick Turner welcomed Pedro Valero, Torrevieja’s Councillor for Foreigners and New Technology and Graham Knight, Director of the city’s Foreign Resident’s Office, who also said a few words in return to the membership. BGE Webmaster Miguel Moreno gave a presentation on the power of the web and their future plans for development plus how through their philosophy of word of mouth referrals, each member is constantly looking for ways to help fellow associates.

BGE meet every Wednesday morning at the La Torre Hotel in Los Montesinos at 8.00 am for a light breakfast, networking and presentation. The group limits itself to one member from each profession so competition within the BGE between members is non-existent with each member happy to promote others. For more information on the BGE, please visit their website on http://www.businessgroup.es.