Last Friday the Sports and Leisure Department of the Reykjavík City Council approved a resolution to introduce a facility fee at Nauthólsvík geothermal beach, year-round.
Currently a fee of ISK 500 (USD 4; EUR 3.5) for using the showers and other facilities, is only charged during the off season, which begins on August 15 and ends on May 15.
“This is not a new idea, and there has been some experimentation with it in the past,” Þórgnýr Thoroddsen, chairman of the department board, to Vísir this morning.
“The resolution is now being proposed in light of the growing number of guests, and the subsequent increase in the workload of staff.”
The city of Reykjavík owns and operates the beach and pays for the maintenance of the the shower facilities, steam bath, and hot tubs.
“The department executive chief will configure this proposal and bring it before the board and then we will see what route will be taken. What I think is most promising is to charge people for using the changing rooms and showers, but not for the hot tubs themselves. So those who arrive in their suits could use the beach for free as before,” said Þórgnýr.
