The Cruz Roja may end up being out in the cold after over 20 years of providing lifeguard cover for Torrevieja’s beaches. Beaches councillor Javier Manzanares says that finishing touches are being together for a new tender for next year, which will include an extension of hours covered by lifeguards, with an extra hour in the morning as well as the evening. That will mean ten hours of cover during the three-month contract period during the summer. There are fears that quality of service might be sacrificed in a bid to cut costs on the tender, with the Cruz Roja unable to compete with other bidders(and perhaps not even tendering in the first place), thus ending a long seaside safety cover association with Torrevieja. Manzanares said that price was not the sole objective when the council advertises the tender, with safety provision and what is offered absolutely vital.
