“So what I want to say very clearly is that our intention was that all regions of Chile have a regional theater to promote culture, the arts, that people can go to see good shows. In fact, we managed to advance with the Rancagua theater, Chillán and we cannot leave the Coquimbo Region behind; I have a commitment that it has a regional theater ”.
It was June 2017 and with these words, the then presidential candidate, Sebastián Piñera, expressed his intention to finally realize the desired Regional Theater of La Serena. Development that was announced during his previous government and that, due to a series of problems, had been delayed in its execution.
However, almost four years later there is still no news regarding the venue that aims to host large-scale cultural shows, such as plays, operas, musicals, also dance and that in the context of the crisis affecting the area, it would also become an important focus of economic reactivation.
This is how they observe it from various guilds, one of them is that of construction. Consulted, the president of the Chilean Chamber of Construction (CChC) La Serena, Sergio Quilodrán, affirmed that it is an emblematic project that reflects not only the desire of people linked to the world of culture and the arts, but also to all the inhabitants of the area. “We have an outstanding debt, because we are the only region within the CNCA regional theater program that we have not been able to carry out this long-term project. Even more so, being a fertile area of prosperous artists and with a cultural legacy that distinguishes us, even internationally, thanks to the work and figure of Gabriela Mistral and Jorge Peña Hen, among others ”, he added.
Regarding the factors that currently limit its construction, Quilodrán pointed out that they are diverse, either due to its management model, lack of financing, design and level of prioritization by local authorities, which still places it in a preliminary stage. administrative and technical planning. This is how it has had to be postponed, especially now considering the pandemic situation that Chile has had to face, having to reallocate resources to better face events such as those experienced.
A valuable space
Regarding the land where it would be installed, he stated that according to the “current design that was approved in 2013, the new Regional Theater would be located on the grounds of the former water mirror belonging to the Ministry of National Assets, a place that has multiple advantages and that it would make it possible to avoid the acquisition of another space ”.
In this sense, the president of the CChC believes that the improvement of its design with current regulations, would allow to value the construction of a sustainable enclosure and with the existing geotechnical engineering methods, the problem of the layers could be solved. But above all, the recovery of this surface would allow to take advantage of the access from the new concession of Route 5 North in that section, managing to configure a new entrance or a front garden to the commune; contemplating the improvement of green areas as eco parks, rescuing two roads that access the typical area through the existing embankments. “In the rest of the space, the water mirror of the Plan Serena could be housed again, through a hard plaza. All this thought in a comprehensive, harmonious and sustainable vision that means giving a new air of development to the old part of the city, giving the community a new urban space that provides quality to people ”, he pointed out.
Reactivation of local industry
Regarding the boost to regional economic activity, the union leader assured that the current scenario that threatens employment in the Coquimbo Region with increasing force is fully understood. Thus, it is assumed that this and other types of developments could solve the harsh effects that the pandemic has had on construction activity, impacting the direct and indirect workforce in our region, “but the fact of having a FNDR budget limited to 2021, it forces us to be more proactive in applying for projects with sectoral funds, of which the MOP has injected, through its calls for bids, “he added.
On the other hand, he asserted that this type of initiative should open the possibility of financing for building works, through the architecture department and make this body the second technical unit to carry out investment projects after the highway department. This would mean giving a great boost to the reactivation of employment in those places that are committed to public and private construction works, with a higher capital gain and mainly with a higher rate of hiring of labor compared to road developments.
“Private financing also plays a fundamental role through the opening of investment tools through the system of private initiatives,” said Quilodrán.
Conversation with the authorities
Finally requested about conversations with the entities in charge of the concretion of the enclosure, it revealed that the relationship of the Chilean Chamber of Construction La Serena with the regional authorities and in this case with the sectorial authorities, has always been very expeditious and open to combine solutions for the community. “Without going any further, this project, in particular, we recently approached it in a meeting with the seremi of the MOP, Pedro Rojas and our infrastructure committee. Occasion in which we state that in our union they will always find professional and technical support, since the collaborative and associated work that characterizes us and that is developed through the different work tables, committees and commissions; generates a strong commitment and respect for the environment, the community and all its surroundings, thus allowing the development of modern, sustainable and competitive cities ”, affirmed the president of the construction union.
Perform management
In this regard, Mayor Roberto Jacob stated that “it has been a long process. At first we started very enthusiastic, the Mirror of Water was chosen, it was transferred to the municipality to develop the project, a design contest was held with a prize and then it stagnated (…) they started with that the prices that had been calculated did not they gave because where they wanted to build there was a water table and it was very expensive… there it started to fall ”.
In fact, it revealed that there is currently not even a layout for the enclosure.
However, the mayor assured that in this new period, regardless of whether the investment is on the part of the State, as a municipality they have the obligation “to do management and that is where we have to move. Talk to the different authorities and explain why we want a regional theater. So, there is our part and everything that corresponds to a communal authority ”.
“I think the time has come to get our act together. One of the things that I will fight for now will be, by all means, a regional theater. It is the only region in the country that does not have a regional theater ”, he added.
Meanwhile, the former councilor and musician, Mauricio Ibacache, one of the most notorious promoters of the project, pointed out that one of the greatest frustrations he feels as a person, politician and musician is not having seen the work performed in the three periods in which worked within the collegiate body.
He added that “I am very sorry that hundreds and hundreds of millions of pesos have been wasted, because his model was inaugurated even by President Piñera and his former Minister of Culture in his first term. So, we have seen countless drops in the idea of theater … and I think that here there has been a lack of political will from all sides.
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