Google News

Follow Euro Weekly News on Google News

Get breaking news from Spain, travel updates, and expat stories directly on your Google News feed.

Follow on Google News

Torrevieja residents have two new developments to look out for, with older photographers being invited to capture their personal connection with the town while plans move ahead for a second heated swimming pool at the Sports City.

The photography competition is open to pensioners aged over 60, while the new €5.5 million sports facility is expected to include a 25-metre pool, spectator seating, accessible facilities and renewable energy systems.

Over-60s invited to show what Torrevieja means to them through photography

Photographers aged over 60 are being invited to capture what Torrevieja means to them in a competition open to the town’s pensioners.

The eighth Photography Tribute to Older People competition is being held under the theme “Torrevieja and Me”, with entries accepted until September 21.

The competition is open to pensioners aged over 60 who are officially registered as residents of Torrevieja.

Entrants can submit a maximum of two photographs showing their own view of the town and their connection with it.

Pictures can feature Torrevieja’s beaches, streets, landscapes and traditions, as well as everyday places, personal encounters or anything representing memories and experiences associated with the municipality.

Photographs can be emailed to terceraedad@torrevieja.eu.

Alternatively, entries can be delivered in a sealed envelope to the Department for Older People at Calle Maldonado 5, Torrevieja. Entrants should include their name and a contact telephone number.

The closing date is Monday, September 21.

Winners will receive their prizes during a special event at Torrevieja Municipal Theatre marking the International Day of Older Persons.

Torrevieja approves plans for second heated swimming pool at Sports City

Torrevieja is also moving ahead with plans for a second heated swimming pool at the Sports City, with the new facility expected to cost around €5.5 million.

The project has been approved by the Town Hall and will now move towards the tendering stage. Once construction begins, the work is expected to take around 18 months.

The new pool will be built behind the Tavi y Carmona Sports Palace, opposite the Cecilio Gallego sports hall, and will connect directly with the existing indoor pool.

At 25 metres long and 12.5 metres wide, it will be suitable for swimming, warm-ups and a range of aquatic activities.

The building will include spectator seating and three changing areas, with separate facilities for men, women and a mixed and family changing room designed to make it easier for adults accompanying children.

Accessibility has also been built into the plans for people with reduced mobility.

Outside, the surrounding area will be reorganised with new gardens and green spaces, improvements to the existing car park and dedicated bicycle parking.

The pool will have its own energy system, including heat pumps and solar panels, rather than relying on the existing pool’s boilers.

The plans aim for renewable energy to provide at least 70 per cent of the annual energy needed for hot water and heating the pool.

Rafal residents will soon be able to get €27.09 from the Town Hall to spend in local shops and businesses as part of the municipality’s 2026 shopping voucher campaign. A total of 4,062 vouchers are available.

More than 4,000 shopping vouchers available for Rafal residents

To qualify, residents must be registered as living in Rafal and be over 16, based on the municipal register at July 31.

Applications open on September 21. Residents can apply online or in person and receive either a printed voucher or a QR code on their mobile phone.

The first vouchers must be spent by October 16, giving recipients several weeks to use the €27.09 towards purchases at businesses taking part in the campaign.

The vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash and can only be used through participating local businesses.

Unused funds could be offered in a second round

If money remains after this first round, unused funds will be offered again from October 23 to residents who have already spent their original voucher.

This will give people who participated in the first stage another opportunity to benefit from the campaign if the full budget has not been used.

A final draw is planned for November if funds are still available after the second stage, allowing the Town Hall to distribute any remaining money through the scheme.

Local businesses must register before accepting the vouchers

Local shops and businesses also need to sign up before they can accept the vouchers.

Registration for businesses runs from August 31 to September 11 and is free, allowing participating establishments to join the campaign before applications open to residents later in the month.

The scheme is intended to encourage spending within Rafal by directing the vouchers towards businesses operating in the municipality.

Residents should also be aware that the vouchers have tax implications.

Recipients must declare the €27.09 as a capital gain on their 2026 income tax return.

With 4,062 vouchers available, the campaign will provide thousands of eligible Rafal residents with additional money to spend locally while directing that spending towards participating shops and businesses in the municipality.