Ordino Council Approves €962K Boost for Water Network Phase 3

Ordino's local council has approved a €962,000 credit supplement to complete phase 3 of its water network expansion, enabling the award of works for a new section from the village roundabout to near the cemetery. The move, ratified unanimously during Sunday's Sants Inocents session, addresses contractor bids exceeding the initial €800,000 allocation. Cònsol Major Maria del Mar Coma described the multi-phase project as vital for splitting the single pipeline from Llorts into separate transport and distribution lines, with annual spending typically between €800,000 and €1 million. Phase 1 works have also been assigned, while the overall timeline depends on yearly segments, potentially spanning four more years at minimum.

This funding decision forms part of Ordino's midterm review of its first two years in office. Achievements include approval of the new urban planning scheme (POUP)—now facing administrative appeals from landowners, though Coma stressed it serves the general interest and the council will comply with any Technical Urbanism Commission (CTU) adjustments. Other progress covers village centre upgrades, parking expansions at Prat de Call and Prat de Vilella, and a new 100-space horizontal car park at La Plana dels Camps, awarded for €2.086 million over 32 weeks after shifting from a pricier underground design budgeted at €5 million.

Coma highlighted record summer tourism at Ruta del Ferro and Arcalís, drawing 70,000 visitors, but noted challenges like insufficient hotel beds outside peak seasons and attracting off-season hikers. Ongoing projects encompass La Clota Verda improvements, La Cortinada historic core refurbishment, Ordino Sports Centre maintenance, and the socio-health centre, reliant on public-private partnerships and government land transfers for tender specifications by 2027.

Economic diversification beyond construction and tourism remains a priority, given pandemic vulnerabilities and near-total revenue reliance on building activity. Coma pointed to technology sectors as ideal—non-polluting, talent-attracting, and high-value—aligning with national initiatives, while regretting the cancelled Grífols project as a lost catalyst for broader investment.

Communication with residents requires bolstering, as village meeting turnout stays low. The council plans greater use of social media for project explanations. The 2026 budget allocates nearly €4.7 million in investments, covered by treasury reserves without new debt, maintaining levels below legal limits and on a declining path.

Priorities ahead include finishing water network phases, village enhancements, building maintenance—particularly the sports centre—and advancing heritage sites like Casa Rossell through government collaboration.