Torrevieja promotes the future urban park of "Alto de la Casilla" with the proposed award to the joint venture ABALA-ORTHEM, for a total amount of 10,370,583 euros

The Torrevieja City Council has taken a new step towards making the future urban park “Alto de la Casilla” a reality with the proposal to award the works to the joint venture formed by the companies ABALA Infraestructuras SL and ORTHEM Servicios y Actuaciones Ambientales SAU, after obtaining the best technical rating in the contracting procedure.

The economic offer submitted by the temporary joint venture amounts to a total proposed award amount of 10,370,583 euros (VAT included).

The Procurement Board, meeting last Monday, May 11, analyzed the bids submitted for the execution of this important green infrastructure project, processed through an open procedure subject to harmonized regulation and with advance processing of expenditure.

In total, 13 large companies and temporary joint ventures from the public works and construction sector participated in the procedure, including Acciona Construcción, Dragados, Eiffage Infraestructuras, OHL, Vías y Construcciones, CHM Obras e Infraestructuras, ACSA, ASCH Infraestructuras, UTE Urdecon-Etosa or Gestaser-Conelsan.

The technical report issued by the Head of the Heritage Service and the Municipal Technical Architect highlighted the proposal presented by the ABALA-ORTHEM Joint Venture for its "exhaustive, detailed development and complete adaptation to the project", underlining the deep knowledge of the action, the quality of the work planning and the integration of environmental measures and carbon footprint reduction.

Among the most valued aspects of the proposed offer for award are the organization of the work by differentiated work areas, the precise definition of the auxiliary and implementation means, the advanced waste management, the detailed planning through execution diagrams, as well as the specific measures to minimize impacts on traffic and the urban environment during the development of the works.

Furthermore, the technical report highlights that the proposal incorporates specific actions to reduce the carbon footprint during the execution of the work, through optimization of transport, high energy efficiency machinery, planning of stockpiles and selection of materials with Environmental Product Declaration.

The proposal submitted by ABALA-ORTHEM obtained the best overall technical score, reaching 37.60 points out of a possible 40, ahead of large national construction companies such as ACSA (34.90 points), Dragados (34.60), OHL (34.35), Vías y Construcciones (34.25), Eiffage (34.00), CHM (33.95) or Acciona (33.70).

In addition, the winning joint venture offered additional improvements for the project, including a complementary provision of shade through organically shaped pergolas, the incorporation of universal children's play equipment, and a maximum extension of the warranty period for the works.

AN OPEN, ACCESSIBLE PARK LINKED TO THE LANDSCAPE

The future urban park “Alto de la Casilla” will be one of the major green infrastructure and urban regeneration projects planned for the city, transforming this space into a new green area of reference for the residents, with criteria of sustainability, landscape integration and environmental improvement.

It will have two main entrances and a central axis that structures the interior layout, featuring shaded areas that make strolling and relaxing year-round, a wooded picnic area, two large children's play areas, a panoramic viewpoint, and a café integrated into the surroundings, designed as a meeting and relaxation point. In addition, it has a parking lot with 89 spaces, as well as a dedicated bicycle parking area, promoting sustainable mobility.

The cafeteria will have an approximate capacity for almost 170 people and will include a toilet area, which will serve both the establishment itself and the park as a whole, contributing to improving the functionality and comfort of the public space.

A GREEN LUNG WITH GREAT PLANT DIVERSITY

Landscape design plays a key role in the overall park. A total of 537 trees will be planted, including Aleppo pine, cypress, araucaria, and jacaranda trees, accompanied by a wide and carefully selected range of low-water-consumption plant species adapted to the environment.

The project includes the planting of more than 12,000 shrub plants such as hibiscus or pittosporum, as well as aromatic species such as lavender, rosemary or thyme, in a total of 1,540 additional units, which will occupy more than 10,000 square meters, configuring a diverse, sustainable green space with high environmental and landscape value, as well as lawn areas along the park, which will occupy an area of 5,000 square meters.

THEMED PLAY AREAS ADAPTED TO DIFFERENT AGES

One of the park's main attractions will be its recreational offerings, specially designed for children and families. The space will feature 37 children's play areas, distributed across two large themed zones. These areas are conceived as distinct yet complementary spaces, integrated into the landscape and adapted to different age groups, with a combined capacity for 400 children.

The first area, called Pink Lagoon, is inspired by the natural environment of the salt flats and the scenic beauty of the municipality. This area recreates an atmosphere linked to water and nature, with games that encourage children's imaginations, such as the Salt Tower and Mountains, the Mining Wagons, and two large hexagonal structures with slides that resemble salt molecules. Up to 230 children can enjoy this play area at the same time, which will feature 22 different games.

The second area, Nautical World, pays homage to Torrevieja's close relationship with the sea and its maritime tradition. This area features some of the park's most unique elements, such as the Torrevieja Ship, the Shark, and the Lighthouse, a large, iconic structure that will exceed 13.65 meters in height and have a diameter between 3.75 and 4.75 meters, becoming one of the park's visual landmarks. The Nautical World area can accommodate up to 164 children in its various spaces.

The play areas have been designed as open, visible, and safe spaces, allowing families to easily supervise their children and fostering interaction among different age groups. In addition, shaded areas and rest zones are integrated, enabling children to combine play with relaxation and leisure time.

Finally, it's worth noting that the park is also designed as a place to enjoy the natural surroundings and views. From various vantage points, and especially from the viewpoint, visitors can admire the Torrevieja Salt Lagoon, the La Mata Salt Lagoon, and the Mediterranean Sea, reinforcing the connection between the urban space, the landscape, and the natural environment.