The Regional Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Madrid (FRAVM) and the Platform for Remunicipalization have presented a critical report on the state of summer facilities in the capital. The document, titled «Madrid is not a city for dips», emphasizes that the city has one of the lowest ratios of swimming pools per inhabitant among large Spanish cities, only surpassing Seville in this deficiency.

The analysis, based on official data from 2025, points to a significant territorial imbalance. More than 705,000 residents in the districts of Centro, Retiro, Salamanca, Chamberí, and Chamartín do not have a single municipal summer swimming pool managed by the City Council. This figure represents 20.4% of the capital's total population, a number comparable to the inhabitants of cities like Zaragoza or Seville.

With only 24 facilities planned for the current season, the supply is clearly insufficient to meet citizen demand. Data reveals a ratio of one swimming pool for every 145,000 inhabitants. This limitation, according to the associations, leads to a «dramatic struggle» to obtain tickets through the website or mobile application.

The report stresses the vital role of these facilities as climate refuges, especially after 2025 recorded 33 days of red alert for extreme temperatures. For the 30% of Madrid residents who cannot leave the city for holidays, these facilities are the only resource to alleviate the heat. However, the platform also denounces recurring maintenance deficiencies and a trend towards the privatization of services.

Given this situation, neighborhood groups are demanding the implementation of a Master Plan for Municipal Swimming Pools. Proposals include the construction of five new facilities in the next two years, prioritizing underserved areas, and improving the ticket sales application to optimize capacity. They also call for promoting shade and natural vegetation over hard pavements, always ensuring direct public management and accessible prices for all citizens.