The "Camilo Cienfuegos" Sports Center, located in Havana, is being renovated, an effort that the local government proudly presents on social media as a major construction achievement.
The Municipal Administration Council of Plaza de la Revolución displayed images on Facebook this Tuesday, showcasing the visit made by the mayor Rolando López Jiménez to this and other facilities, as part of an oversight of ongoing projects in the area, following years of neglect and deterioration.
"It could be observed that the recovery of the pool is almost complete, therefore it will soon offer educational services," stated the brief announcement, accompanied by photos in which the regime showcases the rehabilitated facilities, although it omits information about the condition of the rest of the sports complex.
The statement explicitly mentions only the rehabilitation of the Fencing area, which is already providing services.
According to the authorities, the sports facility has been recovering "step by step," which they assure will benefit sports practice in the municipality, although they did not provide details about the other areas of the complex.
The Camilo Cienfuegos Sports Center, located on Primera between 8 and 10 in the Vedado area of Havana, was already showing significant deterioration in 2016 that was endangering its existence unless urgent measures were taken. Since then, local authorities have made several promises for its recovery, most of which have gone unfulfilled or been only partially implemented.
According to reports from the official press that year, the deterioration of the sports center began in October 2005 after Hurricane Wilma, but it worsened significantly due to negligence and poor administrative management by the government, which ultimately caused more damage than the cyclone itself.
From 2005 to 2016, only superficial repairs were made, primarily focusing on the pool as it was the most visible and used for summer recreational activities.
However, the rest of the facilities remained abandoned. The therapeutic area, for example, became a place filled with rubble and a breeding ground for infectious vectors. The bathrooms and showers were out of service for years, while the artificial lake for kayaking dried up.
In 2014 and 2015, patients and workers sent repeated letters to various authorities, including the Municipal Directorate of INDER and the Council of State, requesting answers and solutions. Although they received formal promises regarding the start of comprehensive repairs, these were never fully realized.
Despite repeated public complaints and evidence of the serious deterioration of the complex, the local government took nearly another decade to announce, in 2024, the supposed rehabilitation of the pool as a significant construction achievement, while continuing to withhold information about the current state of the other sports facilities at the center.
Reports of neglect regarding state facilities frequently flood social medias, highlighting spaces that are visibly worn down by time and neglect.
A clear example of this issue is the stands of the Amador Fernández Fernández Provincial Academy Stadium, closed due to the serious risk of collapse after a prolonged process of deterioration exacerbated by the continuous theft of steel beams.
This project, inaugurated in 2021, was created with the aim of providing a comfortable and suitable space for football enthusiasts in Camagüey. However, the lack of nighttime security, the absence of a perimeter fence, and insufficient lighting facilitated the looting of essential structural elements. To date, it is estimated that around 60 beams are missing, revealing the fragility of its management and maintenance.
The Versailles railway bridge, which connects the banks of the Yumurí River in Matanzas, has been a vital link between the city and its Industrial Zone for years; however, its metal structure currently appears worn, speckled with rust and weathered by time.
This bridge, with its tall metal arches and rails tarnished by the sparks of the trains that still cross it, stands as a reminder of bygone times, and also reflects the neglect prevalent in the country, as can be seen in the images shared by the official newspaper Girón.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rehabilitation of the Camilo Cienfuegos Sports Center
Which facilities of the Camilo Cienfuegos Sports Center are being rehabilitated?
The swimming pool at the Camilo Cienfuegos Sports Center is being renovated, and it is expected to soon offer educational activities. Additionally, the Fencing area is already providing services following its restoration.
Why was the Camilo Cienfuegos Sports Center in poor condition?
The decline of the center began in 2005 after Hurricane Wilma and was exacerbated by the negligence and poor administrative management of the Cuban government, which did not adequately attend to the maintenance of the facilities.
Why is the rehabilitation of this sports center important?
The rehabilitation of the Camilo Cienfuegos Sports Center is crucial for promoting sports practice in the municipality of Plaza de la Revolución, providing safe spaces for sports, and improving the quality of life for residents.
What other infrastructure problems does Havana face?
La Habana faces multiple infrastructure problems, such as garbage accumulation, blackouts, and lack of drinking water, exacerbated by climatic events and the lack of maintenance and effective management by the authorities.
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