The cost of energy is not a recent problem. In recent years, several municipalities have experienced a sharp increase in prices. This situation weighs on the municipal budget. Consequence: some communities must close public facilities, particularly swimming pools. Example in Allier.
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Seniors accustomed to aquagym classes at the municipal swimming pool of Cosne-d'Allier (Allier) will no longer benefit from them until March 2025. In fact, the swimming pool will close its doors for four months due to energy costs. A disappointment for all the faithful of the great basin. A regular confides: “We are told that we have to do sports, but the swimming pool will close for four months. What will we do during this time? It’s always the same people who pay, and that makes me angry”. Another adds: “It’s very disappointing. We are being deprived of our well-being”.
Last year, the town hall had already closed the swimming pool in November and December, then every Sunday. However, the savings made are no longer enough, according to Marie Carré, the mayor of Cosne-d'Allier (SE). “The Clairval swimming pool alone represents 52% of energy bills and 19% of the community's overall operating budget. This weighs on all municipal services and compromises any investment for the 2024 financial year”.
For swimming enthusiasts, it will be possible to continue practicing 30 kilometers away, in the Commentry swimming pool (Allier). Here, the maintenance bill is also high: more than a million euros in 2023. Faced with this situation, the municipality is increasing initiatives to avoid the closure of the basin. “We are looking for technical solutions”indicates Sylvain Bourdier, mayor of Commentry (Divers Left). “In the parking lot, we are going to install solar panels. They will allow us to switch to self-consumption, potentially representing 40,000 euros in electricity savings per year. We also purchased a textile that can be rolled out over the large pool to limit heat loss. By making this swimming pool more attractive, we hope to be able to make it live better.”
These small savings, however, do not prevent the deficit from widening. The future therefore remains uncertain: if state grants to communities were to decrease in 2025, the swimming pool could suffer the consequences.
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