The president of the Chania Regional Office gave a press conference today, Wednesday 03/06/2020, at the Chania Regional Office offices.
Mr. Kouridakis, among other things, stated:
“Due to the extremely costly and energy-intensive operation of the Chania Nautical Sports Center, where the annual expenses for the proper operation of the swimming pools (heating, electricity, chlorination, etc.) exceed 300,000 euros, we immediately activated our reflexes, approaching action: “Energy saving interventions in public buildings».
After thoroughly studying the invitation in question, we took the following actions. We contacted officials of the Region of Crete, who confirmed the possibility of submitting the proposal of the Chania Maritime Sports Center, in order to put forward its candidacy, with the aim of achieving an energy upgrade of the Chania Maritime Sports Center.
We discussed with the Chania Nautical Club, where we jointly identified the necessity of energy upgrading of the energy-intensive Chania Nautical Center through the operational program "CRETE" of the European Regional Development Fund of the NSRF 2014-2020.
Following consultation and agreement with the NOX, we contacted the Ministry of Sports and the General Secretariat of Sports for their mediation. Their response and reflexes worked immediately and procedures have already been initiated to open the implementation framework for the submission of a proposal and inclusion of the facilities in question, through a programmatic agreement, in the Operational Program "CRETE", which will also be valid for 2021.
We believe that the energy upgrade in question will contribute to the substantial upgrade of the said Nautical Sports Center, providing a real provision of quality sports culture and giving athletes, sports-loving youth and the public of the city of Chania, a substantial provision of safety but also the utilization of public, valuable, human-centered services, aiming at the emulation of "fair play".
During the investigation of the issue of the energy upgrade of the swimming pool, we were informed of the existence of a technical report on the operational status of the facilities.
Following the detachment of the upper section of the pylon, i.e. the supporting frame of the lighting fixtures, due to strong winds in October 2019, an inspection was requested and carried out on 18 and 19 October 2019 by a specialized engineer, in order to assess the general condition of the swimming pool facilities. We received the results of the report, upon our request, on 28/05/2020.
The results of the autopsy show that the degree of corrosion of the metal roofs of the swimming pools is such that immediate restoration or reinforcement measures are needed. There are also previous autopsy reports, dating back to even since 2006!, which have since reported the above-identified problems and are requesting the closure of the said facilities for safety reasons, which has not been done to date. According to the results of the autopsy, the total cost of repair and maintenance amounts to over 300,000 euros.
The logic and sense of responsibility that we possess does not allow us to risk the safety of athletes and employees and led us, unanimously, to the decision of the Board of Directors of the Chania National Sports Center, to temporarily suspend the operation of the 25m and 12.5m swimming pools of the Chania Nautical Center until further notice, due to high risk. After today's communication with the General Secretary of Sports. Mr. Mavrotas, he immediately responded to our request and assured us of the immediate restoration of the swimming pools so that they can be put back into use as soon as possible.