Barcelona, world sailing capital
The America’s Cup is about to start and Barcelona is already experiencing the excitement of being the world capital of sailing for a few months this 2024. Although there are still some details to be determined, such as official suppliers and port renovations, the city is ready to host this prestigious competition.
The challenges of sailing clubs
While Barcelona prepares to host the America’s Cup, the small sailing clubs on the Catalan coast are going through difficult times. Many of them have had to close their doors and others are struggling to survive after negotiating deals with municipal governments.
The application of the Costs Law
The main problem these clubs face is the application of the Costs Act of 1988, which is often carried out excessively and without consensus between the different competent administrations: the State, the Generalitat and the town councils. This law is applied as if sailing clubs were profitable leisure establishments, which has put their survival in jeopardy.
The struggle of the sailing clubs
The sailing clubs argue that they do not have a profit motive and that their function is to promote the sport and have a social function. For this reason, they ask that a weighting be applied with respect to legality and that solutions be sought to allow its continuity.
The case of the Club de Mar in Sitges
One of the most significant cases is that of the Club de Mar de Sitges, which is located in an architectural complex declared a Cultural Property of Local Interest and is in the process of being elevated to a Cultural Property of National Interest. The leaders of this club are fighting to obtain the concession from the Generalitat and have asked for support from the Ministry of Ecological Transition to avoid its closure.
