Lifeguard services to cease at San Marcos beach over unpaid council debt

Safety at San Marcos beach in Icod de los Vinos is in jeopardy after the company responsible for lifeguard services announced it will stop operations on July 1. According to El Día, the company can no longer afford to run the service because the City Council owes them more than 100,000 euros.

This financial dispute has lasted two years and involves over 15 unpaid invoices, despite a court ruling ordering the local government to pay. The company is now struggling with the financial strain and interest payments caused by this lack of cash flow. Eladio Díaz Rodríguez, the head of the firm, claims that Mayor Javier Sierra has been unresponsive. He has also questioned the council’s spending priorities, noting that while basic services go unpaid, money is still being spent on projects like coastal renovations and local festivals.

The current local government (AI-PSOE) admits the debt exists and says it hopes to reach an out-of-court settlement. They have blamed the previous administration, led by Coalición Canaria, for the poor state of the contract. However, the company points out that payments were consistent under the previous administration following the court ruling, whereas they have stopped entirely under the current leadership.

Beyond the administrative battle, the loss of lifeguards poses a serious risk to beachgoers. The presence of a lifeguard service is a requirement for the beach’s Blue Flag status, which was already at risk due to the site's poor condition. The company, which has provided safety services for the past four years, warns that its departure will leave swimmers without protection. They also noted that their presence has been vital in preventing serious accidents. With no new tender process in place to fix the contract, the company says the situation has become impossible to sustain.