Heatwave Overcrowds Basauri Municipal Pools, Residents Face Hour-Long Queues

During an intense heat wave in the Basque Country, the outdoor swimming complex at Basauri’s Artunduaga sports centre has struggled to cope with demand. The facility, designed for a maximum of about 2,000 visitors, has seen only roughly 300 bathers in its two pools, yet queues of up to 45 minutes have formed for non‑subscribed users buying tickets at the box office. Residents report waiting up to an hour to enter the water, prompting some to abandon the pools for the beach instead. Municipal officials acknowledge the crowds, noting that similar pressure is occurring in many towns across Euskadi as temperatures rise. They have not yet announced concrete measures, though suggestions include prioritising entry for season‑ticket holders or expanding pool capacity.

The situation highlights the challenges local authorities face in managing public amenities during prolonged high temperatures, with calls from users for proactive planning and better communication to avoid long waits in future heat‑wave days.