The energy crisis has not finished making waves. Thirty swimming pools in France are suddenly closing their doors on Monday due to rising prices.
The Vert Marine company announced on Monday the sudden closure of around thirty swimming pools in France due to rising energy prices.
The company, which has 90 swimming pools and skating rinks on the territory, therefore ceases the activities of a third of its establishments for a temporary period. Among them are the swimming pools of Granville, Versailles and Rouen.
In general, swimming pools are gas-heated and very greedy. They are therefore particularly affected by the increase in the cost of energy. However, some of the country’s public swimming pools are managed not by the community but by a public service delegation. The energy bill for this delegate has gone from 15 to 100 million euros, which is equivalent to its turnover for the year.
Vert Marine calls on local and governmental authorities to take the necessary decisions to return to bearable costs for establishments. It is important that they can continue to fulfill their public service obligations such as learning to swim, at school or outside.
Swimming pools throughout France closed for a temporary period
The company, which has 2,000 employees, had to place its staff on partial unemployment. However, as early as this summer, it had put in place certain measures such as lowering water temperatures or reducing opening hours. Like individuals, who seek to reduce their consumption of household appliances such as washing machines, companies are adapting.
If nothing is done, this could affect 10% of French swimming pools and ice rinks this winter. A government working group is already looking into the matter. Representatives of the sector, including Union Sport et Cycle, as well as local authorities are trying to find solutions with him to reduce energy consumption, without impacting sporting and economic activity.
The Ministers of Sports and Energy Transition announced last week additional measures “in the event of strong tensions on the networks”. The consequences of the energy crisis extend to more and more areas.