“Does anyone think that after a workout or class, if people can’t shower in the gym, they won’t shower at home? And whoever cannot go, because they go directly to work, will unsubscribe,” warns Enric González, technical director of the Duin gyms, with eight establishments in Catalonia and others in Santander, Madrid and Mallorca. The directors of gyms and sports centers fear the moment of complete closure of their showers, something provided for in the Sequera Plan starting from level 2 for gyms with swimming pools and for all when the emergency reaches level 3.

Although the situation is now level 1 (restrictions on showers in gyms with swimming pools), some town councils have already taken measures, such as Girona, which since January 22 closed all municipal swimming pools and does not allow washing after bathing. training on sports equipment. The measure affects all ages and categories, both grassroots and elite sports. Espluges de Llobregat also forced the showers to close on February 5: “This week we had 20 casualties in one day,” adds González. The Duin de Esplugues has about 4,800 users.

“Things are being done very badly, a sector that was already severely punished during the pandemic is being stigmatized and now these measures will have very direct economic consequences for gyms and clubs,” insists Gerard Esteva, president of the Union of Federations. Sports of Catalonia (UFEC).

Concerned about the situation, the main representatives of the sector – very broad and with several active associations – met with the Minister of Medi Environment, David Mascort on February 1. At the meeting they presented the measures and investments that the centers have carried out or that can be implemented before forcing the total closure of the showers. “It was a tense meeting and it was agreed to call another to propose concrete measures, but we are still waiting for them to give us a date,” adds Esteva.

“Each center must be able to decide how to save water. There are many possible formulas before they force us to close all the showers,” maintains Iolanda Latorre, manager of the Catalan Business Association of Physical Activity and Fitness (Adecaff). The sector maintains that with the measures it proposes, additional savings of 25% can be achieved. Among the actions is the reduction of the time of the buttons on showers and taps, as well as the pressure and temperature of the water. Adecaff also proposes eliminating double loading in sink cisterns, installing sensors, automating pool filter cleaning processes, prohibiting recreational use or reducing the number of showers on competition days so that athletes can clean themselves more. quickly and intensify awareness campaigns to save water in sports facilities.

Everyone agrees that closing the showers completely is a blow to business. Fran Esmorís, director of the O2 Center Wellness gym in Girona – with a 25-metre pool and another smaller one, where guided activities are carried out – explains that they dispensed with the spa and the two jacuzzis on February 1. As they had to be emptied twice a week, consumption was notable, “we have achieved savings of between 20 and 30%,” he says, although he recognizes the loss of “some members” due to the suppression of these two aquatic services.

In any case, O2 Center Wellnes de Girona has preferred to reduce water by closing the spa and jacuzzi rather than closing the 28 showers, in which the pressure and button time have been reduced. “If there are no showers, we make it very difficult for users first thing in the morning or at midday,” he maintains. The director asks the administration to help companies invest in improvements to achieve sustainable water consumption, rainwater collection or water reuse.

In the Grup Esportiu i Gironí (GEiEG), a sports club with around 10,000 members including federated athletes and amateurs, they have chosen to close half of their showers. Of those that are still operational, the pressure and time of the button has been reduced in half, which represents a saving of between 5 and 8 liters per minute. “The member is aware,” explains the president of the entity Francesc Cayuela, also worried about the scenario that forces them to close all their showers. “Let’s hope there is no flight of partners.”