Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha

The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha (English: La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Complex) is a recreational complex in barrio Playa in Ponce, Puerto Rico, with family recreational and cultural facilities that opened on 23 June 1998.[1] The highlight of the complex is the Paseo Tablado La Guancha, which is flanked by a beach, an observation tower, an amphitheater, and 24 open-air kiosks.[2] It was developed during the administration of Mayor Rafael Cordero Santiago.[3] In October 2017 it closed to the public to undergo repairs but, as of January 2020, when the area suffered severe damage due to the 2020 Puerto Rico earthquakes, no repairs had been made and, as of 17 June 2020, it remains closed.[4]

For the boardwalk in the same city that is part of this complex, see Paseo Tablado La Guancha.

Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha
La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Complex
Paseo Tablado La Guancha, the centerpice of the La Guancha Recreational Complex
TypePassive park
LocationBario Playa, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Areaapprox 20 cuerdas
Created23 June 1998
Operated byAutonomous Municipality of Ponce
StatusOpen every day
ParkingSeveral areas with parking for about 900 vehicles
Part of a series on
Tourism in Puerto Rico
Tourism Regions
Beaches
Caves
Cays and islets
Convention centers
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History

Originally La Guancha consisted of a road and sidewalk alongside a dike built close to the easternmost shore of barrio Playa across from Ponce Yacht Club. The romantic area was frequented by families and sweethearts alike, especially on weekends, for relaxation and bonding. During the administration of Mayor Cordero, however, a number of facilities were added to the La Guancha area at a cost of over $18 million, developing it into a new recreational complex.[5] The new facilities followed the design of engineer Axel Bonilla Cortes.[6]

Facilities

Seven new facilities were added to the existing walkway area:[7]

  • The Dr. Enrique "Coco" Vicens Recreational and Cultural Center (Spanish: Centro Recreativo y Cultural Enrique "Coco" Vicéns), which consists of an open-air amphitheater for concert-type facilities and seating some 30,000 spectators.[8] Its stage is known as "Tarima Hector Lavoe".[9]
  • A rides and amusement park area, intended for the celebration of Patron Saint's Day Festivals, fairs, and similar festivities
  • The Jose Angel Zayas Colon Children's Park, with over 40 games for the youngsters, plus the (Julio and Geraldo) Chamorro-Franceschini Brothers Park, with facilities for the handicapped
  • Several parking areas with parking for some 900 vehicles, and distributed throughout the complex
  • A majestic fountain, as its main axis, displaying the city's Coat-of-arms and its iconic lion
  • A multi-use building providing facilities for the Ponce Municipal Police, medical emergencies and ambulance, and other related agencies
  • A nourished beach area with over 10,000 cubic meters of new sand that replenished and built up the previous beach area, and including five beach volleyball courts, gazebos, access ramps to the Caribbean Sea, and associated illumination.

This project complemented the recently inaugurated tourist pier in the nearby Port of Ponce, and which saw an investment of $4 million.[10]

Funding

The Complex was developed by the Department of Community and Economic Development of the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce at a cost of $18.6 million. The breakdown of the cost included $3.6 million in the acquisition of the Paseo Tablado La Guancha, 6.5 million in the purchase of over 27 acres (110,000 m2) of land, $8.0 million in the construction of the project, $0.2 million for the bidding process, and $0.3 million for the upgrade of PR-12 (Avenida Santiago de los Caballeros) as infrastructure leading to the new complex.[11]

External audio
You may see some of La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Center HERE

Effects of the 2020 Puerto Rico earthquake

The complex sustained damage due to the 2020 Puerto Rico earthquake.[12][13]

  • Aerial view of the Complex (right half)
  • Hector Lavoe Rides and Amusement Plaza (Western End)
  • Children looking at fish at La Guancha
  • Rides and Amusement Park Area (Eastern End)
  • Jose Angel Zayas Colon Children's Park sign
  • Children's Playground at the Jose Angel Zayas Colon Children's Park
  • Sign marking the Children's Area
  • Chamorro-Franceschini Bros. Handicapped Children's Park
  • Public parking for over 900 cars at La Guancha
  • Majestic Fountain and Lion at the Entrance to La Guancha
  • Sign marking the Multiuse Building
  • Administrative Multiuse Building
  • EMS Office at the Multi Use Building
  • Beach volleyball courts
  • Sand-nourished La Guancha Beach
  • Ponce Municipal Band Gazebo
  • Walkway

See also

References
  1. Inauguran Complejo de Recreacion La Guancha. El Nuevo Dia. 15 June 1998. (In Spanish.)
  2. Mejoras para La Guancha de Ponce. El Sur a la Vista. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  3. Recuerdan en Ponce al León Mayor. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 19 October 2010. Accessed 13 March 2018.
  4. Se esfuma la abultada cartera de activos turísticos de la ciudad. Jason Rodriguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 37, Issue 1907. 17 to 23 June 2020. pp. 2-3. Accessed 17 June 2020.
  5. Inaguran Complejo de Recreacion La Guancha. El Nuevo Dia. 15 June 1998. (In Spanish.)
  6. Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades. Ponce Ciudad Museo 2001. 2001. p. 127.
  7. Inauguran Complejo de Recreacion La Guancha. El Nuevo Dia. 15 June 1998. (In Spanish.)
  8. Meca sureña del sabor y esparcimiento. Arlyn Díaz. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 17 August 2010. Weblink updated 5 July 2019.
  9. Para junio restauración del Paseo Tablado. Jason Rodríguez Grafal. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 7 March 2012. Weblink updated 5 July 2019.
  10. Remozan al Sector La Guancha en Ponce. El Nuevo Dia. 30 January 1997. (In Spanish.)
  11. Inauguran Complejo de Recreacion La Guancha. El Nuevo Dia. 15 June 1998. (In Spanish.)
  12. La Guancha queda inoperable luego de los terremotos. Primera Hora. 8 January 2020. Accessed 10 January 2020.
  13. Cierre indefinido en La Guancha en Ponce. Michelle Estrada Torres. Voces del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 8 January 2020. Accessed 11 January 2020.

Further reading
  • Fay Fowlie de Flores. Ponce, Perla del Sur: Una Bibliográfica Anotada. Second Edition. 1997. Ponce, Puerto Rico: Universidad de Puerto Rico en Ponce. p. 13. Item 65. LCCN 92-75480
  • Nelson Garcia. "Origen del Nombre de La Guancha." La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 23-30 enero 1996. p. 37.

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