Pending final details, the construction company UTE Aragonesa de Obras Civiles and ACSA Obras e Infraestructuras has begun removing the crane ahead of schedule, shortening the construction timeline, according to the city council.
The removal of the crane installed for the construction of the "Magda Godia" Senior Citizens' Residence and Day Center in Mequinenza indicates, according to the Mequinenza Town Council, that the building's construction is entering its final phase. The council believes that, with only a few final details remaining, the company awarded the contract, the joint venture (UTE) Aragonesa de Obras Civiles and ACSA Obras e Infraestructuras, will have managed to shorten the completion date, which was originally set for March. Antonio Sanjuán, the mayor of Mequinenza, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "This was the goal, so we can begin the necessary procedures for its opening as soon as possible, which we hope will be this year." The facility will have 117 places: 78 for residents and 39 for day care, with all the necessary services, and will directly employ 50 people.
According to information provided by the town council, construction began in 2008 but was halted in 2011 due to a lack of funding after an investment of just over €500.000. Work resumed in September 2022, thanks to funding from the MINER Infrastructure Plan. The town council received €5,3 million through the Government of Aragon and the Institute for Just Transition (ITJ), plus an additional €600.000 initially allocated by the council to cover increased costs and allow the project to go out to tender. This brings the total investment to €5,9 million for this essential social facility, which will serve the town and neighboring municipalities.
They also indicated that, while the construction work is being completed, the City Council has awarded the contract for the first phase of landscaping the surrounding area, specifically the main access zone, so that it can be carried out as soon as the construction is finished. This project will represent an investment of just over €360.000 and will be financed through the Investment Plan for Municipalities with Special Territorial Difficulties (PIMED) of the Provincial Council of Zaragoza (DPZ). In parallel, €100.000 has been allocated in the municipal budget to secure contracted places, and work is underway to determine the management model and equip the Residence. For this last step, “we are counting on the support of the Bajo Cinca region; we have requested it, otherwise it would be incomprehensible.”
