The Diputación de Alicante has requested European funding for the rehabilitation works of the indoor pool and the Home for the Elderly of the Provincial Home 'Antonio Fernández Valenzuela', actions promoted by the provincial institution that require a budget of more than 4.5 million of euros. The projects include reforms to improve the accessibility, habitability and energy efficiency of both buildings.

The deputy for Architecture, José Ramón González de Zárate, explained that the aid has been requested within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and within the Program to Promote the Rehabilitation of Public Buildings, which foresees an investment of 600 million euros for local entities.

“From the Diputación de Alicante we are working to promote actions that favor energy saving and social inclusion and the Provincial Home renovation project is framed in this line”, González de Zárate pointed out.

In the case of the Residence for the Elderly, with 125 beds, the work for which aid is requested, with a total budget of 2.9 million euros, contemplates the improvement of the climatic envelope of the building, as well as its air conditioning and domestic hot water, introducing aerothermal energy to obtain savings of 85% of non-renewable energy and completely eliminating the consumption of fossil fuels.

In addition, works will also be undertaken to improve accessibility -replacement of carpentry in entrances-, habitability -installation of parasols-, safety -non-slip flooring, replacement of locksmiths on terraces- and conservation of both structure and enclosures.

As for the project to rehabilitate the indoor pool, it would require a budget of 1.5 million euros and seeks to improve it through comprehensive action that guarantees its sustainability and maintainability. In this way, it is planned to reduce energy consumption by 60% thanks to the incorporation of photovoltaic energy and the use of fossil fuels (gas) is eliminated, replacing it with aerothermal energy. Likewise, the pool shell will be insulated and the building envelope will be improved (roof, carpentry, glass, etc.), which will reduce thermal needs.

Likewise, the accessibility of the spaces will be improved by creating accessible changing rooms for children and the incorporation of a hydraulic lift for the gym and multipurpose rooms, a submersible lift for the indoor pool and a ramp for the outdoor pool. In addition, a class reservation and shift management system will be incorporated for greater control.