Project to improve Las Gaviotas lake in Playa de Muro

There is an initial budget of 797,000 euros, of which 500,000 will come from the tourism ministry's fund for tourist accommodation places. The town hall will foot the rest of the bill for a project to create recreation areas and to allow the lake to be used for small boats. This will require the clean-up of the lake's bed, although dredging has been ruled out on environmental grounds. A floating pier is also envisaged. This wouldn't be anchored to the bed of the lake but to land.

The green zone that the town hall wishes to create on municipal land would have sports and games apparatus. Some clearance work will be needed in order to make this zone accessible. Given the fact that the Costas Authority will need to be involved - it is where anything to do with the lakes and canals are concerned - distinctions in terms of responsibility will have to be established. The pier would fall under the Costas, for example.

Trees will be planted in this zone, in which there will be a children's playground, a petanque court and a picnic area with town hall furniture.

Mayor Martí Fornés says the project is needed in order to improve the image of the lake and its surrounds. "At present we have a lagoon that is totally dark. It doesn't portray a good image. With the improvement, there will be a zone that residents and visitors will be able to enjoy."