The management of the Chania National Sports Center fully understands the concern expressed by coaches and classical sports clubs regarding the work being carried out in recent days on the rubber mat of the Chania National Stadium, as part of the project to target the facility's electric lighting.
This is an important and necessary project, which had been planned for some time. In consultation with the clubs, it was decided that the specific work would be carried out during this period, in order to limit as much as possible the burden on the daily operation of the Stadium and training sessions.
The work is now in its final stages and is expected to be completed within the next 24 hours. The priority for everyone is, upon the departure of the crews, that the facility be delivered in the best possible condition and continue to safely serve the athletes and clubs.
In relation to the concerns that have been publicly expressed about the way in which specific interventions were carried out on the tartan, it must be clarified that the execution of the works, the choice of technical methods and the planned restoration of the intervention points has been undertaken by the project contractor, who also bears the relevant responsibility for their proper execution. The administration of the Chania Public Works Department does not have the technical competence to indicate the manner in which the works are to be carried out by the contractor.
This, however, does not mean that the concerns expressed are not of concern to us. On the contrary, it is our desire, after the completion of the project, that no additional problems arise in the already burdened by long-term use rubber mat. As for whether the specific works could have been carried out in a different way, we do not consider it appropriate to take a position at this time, before the completion of the works and the planned restoration.
At the same time, in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Sports, we are working towards the complete replacement of the existing, particularly worn-out rubber mat with a new one, as it is a given that after many years of continuous use it has shown significant wear and tear. This is an issue that is high on our priorities and we hope that there will be more information regarding the progress of the process in the near future.
The management of the EAK Chania remains at the disposal of the clubs and coaches. We consider it self-evident that their concerns, observations and complaints must be heard and through continuous communication and cooperation the best possible solutions for the sports facilities for the athletes who use them daily should be sought.