If you have wondered down the Avd Europa this week, you would be forgiven if you thought that the economy is out of recession. The reason being that there are construction noises coming from the concrete shell of what "one day" will become Benidorm´s state of the art Cultural Centre.

The Calle Ibiza, running alongside the construction site was blocked to traffic as a crane stood in the middle of the road hoisting giant beams up. The last time any work happened there was back in May 2010. I really hope that Benidorm Town Hall either bought those 6 cranes which have stood idly by for numerous years or at least have shares in the hire company!

But don´t get too excited.... the work is only temporary, aprox 3 weeks in fact and then will once again stop. According to sources, the beams were costing extra to keep them stored so the construction company decided to place them in position and do away with the additional expense. The project is a joint venture between Dragados, a leading construction company in Spain and Rover Alcisar, who have undertaken major infrastructure projects across the country - so both have vast experience in the field.

But the Town Hall are loosing patience with the builders. They have told them that if they do not resume work throughout 2013 with the intent of completing the project, then they will take them to court and terminate the contract. The initial tender for the budget projection was 42 million euros, but almost as soon as it started changes were already being made.... and so obviously extras started mounting. And so this is where the problems lie - money!
In my opinion I would have thought the sensible option would be to complete one part of the vast project and at least start using it and generating some money. The beams being welded in place are not structural but will hold the facade that will cover the outside of the building - it will basically make the building look pretty!  Whats wrong with a coat of white paint I´ll never know...

But the completion is important to Benidorm as it will help generate tourism and in turn revenue. Currently concerts and shows are taken to the likes of cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, but on completion this can all change as one of the auditoriums will be able to hold more than 1100 people.  Major tourism conferences will be able to take place in situ at one of the countries top tourist destinations. Since the PSOE came into power they have been at loggerheads with the CDL party over its future and cost. But standing abandoned is no use to anyone so lets hope things start moving come January.