The regatta course on the Estany dels Ponts in Alcudia (what used to be known as Lago Esperanza) has been spoken about for several years. Its development will finally start in 2026.
The Council of Mallorca has decided to fund this development itself, there having been issues with a European grant of 3.1 million euros. The deadline for completing work using this grant is June 2026. That won't happen, the funding having essentially been abandoned in 2024 in any event because of difficulties in justifying it.
The Council's sports department says the funding won't be lost, as it will be allocated to other projects in progress. The regatta course funding by the Council will amount to some two million euros, the cost having come down by one million because there will not now be dredging of the lake. This has been denied on environmental grounds.
Nine lanes are to be created. There will be control towers, pontoons, and a mobile platform. In addition, the idea for a multipurpose building for use as a gymnasium and training centre is being revived.
Alcudia's mayor, Fina Linares, was asked about plans for the course at Thursday's council meeting. She said it will begin with the Council of Mallorca's own funds, "as it is considered to be a strategic project for Mallorca and especially for Alcudia". Linares blamed the delay on the fact that "in 2023 we only found superficial proposals without even a preliminary project plan, without allocated funds, and without agreements with other institutions".
The president of the Balearic Canoeing Federation, Juan Carlos Fuentes, stresses the importance of the course. "The top canoeists we have in Mallorca have trained on this lake, and many Europeans come to Alcudia to train, attracted by the good weather. It's a project of great importance for promoting the sport."