The proposal from the Radical Youth of Necochea is that the building be converted into a higher education institute.
Argentina.- As uncertainty grows about the imminent call for bids to operate slots at the Necochea Casino and the sale of the complex where the historic establishment was located is also expected to be tendered, proposals are emerging on what the city can do with the site.
Through their social networks, the Radical Youth of Necochea made a series of posts under the slogan: "The Necochea Casino: a future with a University in its place", with the aim of motivating the Necochea Casino Complex to become a higher education institute.
"For decades, the Necochea Casino was one of the main tourist attractions of the city, an icon of the Atlantic coast and a strategic point for the development of the region. However, years of disinterest and lack of management have led to the imposing building deteriorating and losing its original function, being relegated to decay," they explained in their statement.
And they added: "Today, it is time for a radical change. The city needs to move towards a future of growth and modernization. It is time to demolish the obsolete structures of the old casino and take advantage of that valuable land for a transformation project that gives rise to a university center. The creation of a university in Necochea would not only strengthen the local educational landscape but could also reactivate the economy, generate employment, and attract students from other regions."
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The document concluded: "The old casino, with its history of splendor and decay, is ready to become the engine of a new era for the city. It is a unique opportunity for Necochea to take a step towards modernity and progress."
The slot machine tender for Necochea will include an investment in equipment and maintenance of the gaming room, and will go hand in hand with the tender of the complex by the municipality.
The novelty, in this last point, is that the bids must be reassembled for the Deliberative Council to deal with, as it will also include the auditorium complex that was not previously listed.
In January, during the event presenting the summer season, Arturo Rojas, mayor of the seaside city, spoke about the delayed call for bids to sell the casino and operate slots, something that workers have been requesting for a long time.
It is worth remembering that last May, the president of the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos (IPLyC Buenos Aires), Gonzalo Atanasof, toured the Necochea Casino with Mayor Rojas and workers of the complex, where they announced a new phase of joint work to tender the casino. At that time, they said that the slot machine tender for Necochea would include an investment in equipment and maintenance of the gaming room, and would go hand in hand with the tender of the complex by the municipality. The call was expected to be launched in October.
During his visit to the casino on January 16, Rojas declared: "Hopefully this will be the year in which the Province of Buenos Aires through the Institute can carry out the tender that we have been waiting for, not only from the municipality but also the workers, understanding that the file has already circulated through the state agencies and today is in the Ministry of Economy."
According to the local media TSN Necochea, the municipal chief explained that from that key step, the bid would be raised to the Deliberative Council and added that it would allow, on one hand, "the reconstruction of a complex so dear to the feelings of all Necocheans and tourists who visit us, and on the other hand, to refunctionalize other sectors and make an urban development."
"We hope for progress in the coming months to be able to make a call for bids in search of investors that allow the reconstruction and everything that it means in terms of labor and tourism to put this complex in condition, which has been in decay for so many years," Rojas concluded.
On the other hand, Alberto Esnaola Radical leader from Necochea, pointed out in communication with NEC Radio Fm 98.3 that the building must be demolished: "I am tired of being told that the building is recoverable. Who is going to put the money for the refurbishment?" he declared.
