The Community Life Centre in Barcelona's Trinitat Vella neighbourhood is set to reopen in the coming weeks, over three years after its sudden closure due to toxic formaldehyde contamination. This municipal facility, a vital hub for residents in the Sant Andreu district, has undergone extensive remediation work to ensure safety.
The centre, located at Via Favència with Carretera de Ribes, initially opened in late March 2022. However, it closed abruptly in January 2023 after officials detected formaldehyde, which caused irritation and respiratory discomfort in three individuals. Manoli Martínez Vera, President of the Trinitat Vella Residents' Association, confirmed the imminent reopening. "It will be very soon," she stated, adding that the facility is currently undergoing final cleaning and preparation. She anticipates a possible opening by the first week of June at the latest.
Remediation Efforts and Costs
The original construction of the Community Life Centre cost €6.7 million. The Ajuntament has incurred additional, undisclosed expenses for reducing formaldehyde levels, cleaning, repainting, and other improvements. Tot Barcelona has repeatedly requested these figures, but the City Council has not made them public. Officials initially linked the formaldehyde to building materials, specifically wood. However, Jordi Gené, an engineer from the Centre for Forest Science and Technology of Catalonia (CTFC), suggested a different cause. He believed the issue might stem from wood derivatives or treatments like paints and varnishes.
Addressing the Toxic Substance
Jaime Pascual, the Ajuntament's Manager of People, Organisation and Electronic Administration, clarified the cause in December. He stated that "the building material that naturally generates formaldehyde" had concentrated in certain areas due to the ventilation system. The City Council has since conducted approximately 60 measurements to monitor formaldehyde levels. They implemented various treatments to reduce the toxic substance. These included optimising the ventilation system "to avoid accumulation of unrenewed air in the different spaces," Pascual explained late last year. A special paint applied to interior linings also proved effective. These measures have consistently reduced emissions over the past year. They achieved levels significantly below those found in urban outdoor air and complied with established substance regulations.
Management Contract and Political Reaction
The Ajuntament recently awarded the management of the facility to Relleu Cultural, a Barcelona-based company specialising in leisure and culture. The contract, valued at €700,345.23 including VAT, extends until 2028. This figure includes €578,797.71 net price and €121,547.52 in VAT, as recorded in government commission agreements from 22 April. Relleu Cultural sources confirmed this is a contract renewal, as their projects continued in other spaces during the closure. They await a specific date from the Ajuntament to return to the building, stating, "It is being reconditioned."
Ximena Gadea, the Junts Councillor-Spokesperson, welcomed the impending reopening. She called it "a necessary facility for the neighbourhood and for the social cohesion of Trinitat Vella." However, Gadea criticised the delay. She noted that "this reopening comes late, after more than three years of inactivity that have generated frustration and distrust among residents."
Demands for Transparency and Future Operations
Junts believes reopening is essential but insufficient. Gadea demanded further accountability. "It is still necessary to know what went wrong, what the economic impact has been and what responsibilities arise from it," she stated. She added that "without transparency and accountability, this episode cannot be considered closed." The party also stressed the importance of the centre's future. Gadea concluded that "the most important thing is to ensure that the centre functions normally, with resources, and with a clear project. It must also have real roots in the neighbourhood." The Community Life Centre offers various public social care services, employment support, and community action programmes. It aims to promote active ageing, network collaboration, participation, and social cohesion.
As the Community Life Centre prepares to welcome residents back, its reopening marks a significant step for Trinitat Vella. The community now anticipates a fully functional and safe space. They hope the City Council addresses the remaining questions regarding the closure's financial impact and accountability.
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Originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read original article.
