Torre Pacheco transforms old medical centre into multi-cultural community centre
The new cultural centre is designed to encourage connection in a town rich with different backgrounds
Following an unfortunate and unprecedented period of violence, tension and xenophobic unrest, Torre Pacheco is taking meaningful steps to strengthen its sense of community and inclusion with the launch of a new municipal culture centre called ‘Identidades’.
In a town where nearly one in three residents is from abroad, the project is designed to celebrate diversity and create shared spaces where people from all backgrounds can connect through art, tradition and creativity.
The community centre will occupy a group of renovated municipal buildings, including the long-disused old health centre. The project was awarded to Abala Infraestructuras, a company that belongs to the Murcia-based Hozono Global group. It was the only company to submit a bid and met all the technical requirements.
The design, developed by the Cívica cooperative, is expected to take eight months to complete.
Once finished, Identidades will include exhibition rooms, classrooms, artist residencies and areas for workshops, performances and informal community gatherings. The aim is to offer a welcoming and creative space where the residents of Torre Pacheco, 29.1% of whom are foreign nationals representing more than 90 countries, can connect.
According to the Town Council, the project addresses a widespread sense of detachment and social fragmentation felt by many in the municipality. The new centre will use tradition, heritage and artistic expression to help the community grow stronger and move from simply living together to truly connecting as a unified population.
The new space will consist of three separate buildings, each with its own entrance and structural characteristics. The first is the Sovereignty Building, which is currently used by the Torre Pacheco Merchants Association. This building is in adequate condition and has a structure made up of load-bearing walls and a roof with a sandwich panel.
The second is the Annex Building. This structure is in poor condition, currently without services and unused. It has load-bearing walls and a wooden roof and lacks air conditioning and other essential infrastructure.
The third part of the project involves the old Health Centre. This building was originally used for healthcare purposes, then later served as temporary Town Hall offices. Since those offices moved, the building has remained empty and neglected. It now has no services and its air conditioning system and other installations have been removed. The woodwork is in poor shape and there are structural issues with the lintels, which are no longer watertight.
All three buildings will be renovated and repurposed to form a cultural and social hub for the local community.
Image: Cívica
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