Girona to shut off showers in public sports centers as ‘educational measure’ against drought

As of January 22, it will no longer be possible to take a post-workout shower in Girona’s public sports centers and swimming pools as the water will be shut off to “alleviate” the ongoing drought, the city council announced on Thursday. 

As for the swimming pools, the showers in the changing rooms will be shut off, but the outside showers will still be working so swimmers can rinse off the chlorine without using soap. The showers will, however, implement a water-saving system, where water will only come out of the shower heads for ten seconds, instead of the current one-and-a-half minutes.  

The only exception will be the Devesa Municipal Sports Area because the center is part of the city’s Cold Plan, which provides shelter for the homeless during the winter months. 

Girona’s mayor Lluc Salellas assured that the measure had been taken for “educational reasons.” 

The decision to shut off showers in sports centers and pools was taken by Girona’s drought commission in December of 2023 as part of all the suggestions for the city to lessen the water deficit in coordination with the Catalan Ministry for Climate Action.  

“Our goal is to use as little water as possible,” the mayor stressed. 

Among other actions to reduce water, is how often and long the artificial grass of the public football fields will be watered, specifically the fields Can Gibert del Pla, Fontajau, Germans Sàbat, Pont Major, Torres de Palau, and Vila-roja. 

Showers closed for all 

The decision to shut off the water after workout and training sessions will affect all users, both professional and youth athletes. 

According to the sports director of Spar Girona, Laia Palau, it’s necessary to “act responsibly,” and the measures are also a way of making the Girona residents reflect on what they can do to “improve the situation.” 

Private gyms 

The Girona city council has also sent out a letter to the owners of private gyms asking them to join the cause and shut off water in their locker room showers.  

On Tuesday, the Catalan government announced that new drought measures affecting the sports world would come into effect in late January or February.