The company Clequali, formerly in charge of managing Orihuela’s sports facilities, is demanding €1.25 million from the City Council following its bankruptcy.
This amount includes funds meant for Social Security, the Treasury, and unpaid salaries for 130 employees. The Council plans to pay €500,000 this week to the bankruptcy administrator, with the remaining €750,000 to be added to the city’s balance sheet.
Clequali had been managing the facilities since April 2018 under a contract awarded in December 2017. The original agreement expired in March 2023, but a verbal agreement allowed the company to continue services temporarily. However, delayed payments and a warning from the Council in 2024 that further payments would require legal authorization caused financial strain on Clequali.
The company claims invoices for early 2023 were paid months late, and others remain unpaid, which led to tensions and ultimately the company’s abandonment of services.
This caused a temporary shutdown of facilities, including the Water Palace, and required the new PP-Vox local government to urgently award an emergency contract worth €2.5 million to ensure continued operation of sports services.
The emergency contract was awarded to Vectoris, which also manages coastal sports services. It included the transfer of Clequali’s staff to the new provider to ensure continuity.
Legal and Political Fallout
The City Council, through legal advisor Emilio Fernández, accused Clequali of failing to fulfil its obligations and potentially committing misappropriation and concealment of assets. The council has informed the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the PSOE also plans to report actions taken since the government transition.
Mayor Pepe Vegara criticized Clequali for lying to both the Council and employees, stating the company had received payments but failed to meet its responsibilities. In October, the Council began withholding payments due to Clequali’s failure to provide proof of compliance with Social Security and tax obligations.
Next Steps: New Contract Tender
A new five-year service contract (three years plus two optional extensions) is currently under technical evaluation, with an estimated value of €14.88 million. It aims to ensure high standards in facility maintenance, hygiene, and service delivery across all municipal sports centres. The contract is expected to be awarded by summer 2025.
