One of them is that of the Sports Center Vigía-Florat located in the Avenue of the Mártires, which receives over hundred persons per day. The price is accessible and its roof allows to support the constant practice both in sunny and rainy days.
"But it constitutes one of those constructions ill-treated by the step of the years. Also, bars and discs are missing to strengthen the body, the implements are spoiled, and the banks do not have linings that protect the skin", clarifies Alfredo Sama Martínez, one of the users.
According to its workers, in the last eight years the repairs realized to the place have been with proper means and some resources assigned by the National Sports Institute (INDER), that have reached only for the walls and a little of painting.
"We have been working with the same 'irons', in spite of the demand that exists among the population. Our governing organism, the municipal direction of Sports, has told us that in the annual budgets only there are foreseen works of maintenance, not the acquisition of new devices", told Modesta Moisés Piti, director of the center.
The lacks affect also the service of aerobic exercises, which should be had suspended by the absence of a music device, and to spaces like that of the near park Mario Aróstegui, who loses users because of the deterioration of floors and facilities.
A ROOM WITH "RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS"
In the sports center Rafael Fortún Chacón is located the other state gym, to which more than 200 Camagüeyans go every day. This place was repaired two years ago, but in its case the material difficulties are accompanied by other questions that raise doubts about the validity of its proposal.
A habitual one, Luis Caballero Molina, describes the matter briefly: "This is a very closed place, almost without ventilation. In addition, the few fans that it has are so dirty that almost they do not work. This way, between batch and batch, there is no other option that to go out to the corridor to oxygenate the muscles. If not, you suffocate".
The worries of this young man are known by Luis López Navarrete, general manager of the institution, who confirmed to Adelante newspaper that the topic was analyzed with architects and they warned that of breaking a wall or opening a window the structure would weaken.
To other clients as Maydelín Delgado García troubles the restricted schedule, the deterioration of the devices and the lack of hygiene, consequence of the absence of assistants of cleanliness, motive for which this work runs in charge of the teachers.
With regard to the topic, Pérez Navarrete responds: "The hours of functioning are established in accordance with the biggest or minor demand of the population; we cannot spread further because scarcely there are two partners linked straight to the gym. We had to take this measurement due to the redeployment of several specialists who fulfill mission in the exterior. On the other hand, the maintenance depends on the resources. This year the priority was centered on other places like the Lake of the Dreams and the Sports Villa".
These two aged gyms do not die thanks to the "grandchildren" who bring them instruments and look over its care. Nevertheless, the delicate health of both worries for the emergence of private facilities, that although are more expensive, have better conditions and have bigger space and preference among those who like to perfect their physical form and presence.
Translated by BA in English Language, Manuel Barrera Téllez
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