COMC - Town Activity Center ($25,000)

The largest focus of the Rising Tide’s efforts in 2025 is capitalizing phase 2 of the COMC community center building. In 2024, the Rising Tide Fund contributed over $40,000 to the COMC project. Palometa Club’s own, Francois Botha, has been overseeing the Rising Tide’s contributions and is playing a critical role in the development of the facility as well as leading boxing lessons twice a week during the season. This is a worthy civil project that will serve the whole community with organized education, fitness and wellness activities for all age groups. COMC has been recognized by the local and state governments – and is also providing steady employment to members of the Punta Allen community. Completion of COMC has a budget of 2.5 million Mexican Pesos (roughly $140,000 USD). Phase 2 of the project includes completion and enhancements to the gymnasium, boxing facilities, classrooms, library, astronomy center, museum, and more.

Preschool playscape & bathrooms Repair ($4,000)

The preschool's playscape is badly deteriorating, is dangerous, and needs to be replaced. The school's bathrooms are also not sanitary and require some plumbing work as well as new fixtures and proper lighting.

Primary School Renovations ($2,000)

The Ignacio Ramirez Primary School is the main educational hub for Punta Allen’s elementary aged children. The school’s bathrooms are in need to significant repair including new fixtures, a water pump, and expansive plumbing work so the bathrooms will function properly for the school children. Further, the school’s basketball court required replacement of aging backboards and repairing of columns for safety purposes and to accommodate a proper shade cloth. The school also needs a new projector as all three on hand have failed.

Dasha’s Beach Cleanup Crew ($5,000)

Our co-manager, Dasha, has organized a team to assist in weekly beach cleanups in and around town. In addition to cleaning up the endless river of plastic that washes on our shores, the project gives purpose and income to otherwise idle children and folks past their prime working years. The goal is to expand the size of the area’s cleaned regularly to include more outward parts of the bay and to obtain a recycling machine to ultimately one day manufacture gifts and bracelets made of recycled plastic harvested on Ascension Bay. This year’s budget for the cleanup crew is dedicated to acquisition of proper collection equipment, disposal, and payroll for all participants.

Town Library Improvements ($1,200)

Adjacent and attached to the COMC building is the town library that is under great disrepair. The building has zero ventilation currently and needs a functional window to allow for circulating air to freshen and cool the space. Additionally, we plan to fund painting and sealing the ceiling and walls.

Scholastic Scholarship Fund ($5,000)

Punta Allen does not have a traditional highschool. Local residents must make arrangements for teenaged children to continue their education in other cities on the Yucatan such as Carillo Puerto, Merida, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun. This process can create great financial hardship for the families.

The Rising Tide fund plans to contribute towards tuition, living, and transportation expenses for qualifying students with promise who otherwise would not have the opportunity to move onward in the their academic career. The Fund will also consider sponsoring bright college aged young adults who have demonstrated dedication to their scholastic journey.

Emergency Fund ($5,000)

The Rising Tide consistently maintains a budget of $5,000 cash on hand to quickly deploy to assist with unexpected medical issues, storm destruction, or any other emergencies.