ARCHIVED - Another half a million euros needed to open the swimming pool of the Palacio de Deportes in Cartagena

It is now 19 years since the construction project for the “drop of mercury” was approved

It is reported in regional newspaper La Verdad that a further 500,000 euros are needed in order to make it possible to open the swimming pool at the Palacio de Deportes in Cartagena, the large modern structure which has been built in the western outskirts of the city and which some people refer to as the “drop of mercury” due to the aluminium plates which cover the structure.

According to the report published, repairs are necessary in the pool area of the building, where there are design faults and parts of the initial construction which have still not been completed. An isolating wall is apparently needed in order to prevent corrosion being caused by chlorine vapour in the main arena of the complex, and at the same time an effective ventilation system will be required to protect the swimming pool area itself from the same vapour.

Those with long memories may remember that the initial project for the Palacio de Deportes in Cartagena was approved in the year 2000, and construction began in 2006 with the intention being for the pavilion to open the following year. However, after long delays caused by lack of finance and problems with contractors, it emerged a couple of years ago that the project was still not complete.

Roads in the area had to be dug up in order for water pipes to be laid, paving and landscaping work was needed, and these extra jobs were expected to take the overall cost of the Palacio up to around 25 million euros, 66 per cent more than had originally been budgeted.

Even now the complex is only partly open, following the inauguration of the main arena where last year the parquet floor had to be replaced due to it having been poorly installed. The offices intended for staff of the council’s Department of Sport ought to be ready early next year, according to the Town Hall, the gymnasia and weightlifting areas are still lacking equipment and some interior walls have not been plastered, let alone painted.

However, there are a dozen other municipal sports centres which are fully open and operational throughout the municipality, including the indoor swimming pools of Wssel de Guimbarda and the Urbanización Mediterráneo in the city itself.

Main image: councillors inspect the pool in 2018 (Ciudadanos Cartagena)

For more local news, events and other information go to the Cartagena section of Murcia Today.

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