In Vigrestad on Jæren, the local sports team is one of many affected by the energy crisis. The track is to be heated with gas for the winter, but they don’t get the money for that. – This ultimately affects the weakest, says general manager Arnfinn Dahl in Vigrestad sports club. Arnfinn Dahl is the general manager of Vigrestad IK, which has around 1,400 members. He fears the consequences of increased gas expenses this winter. Photo: Magnus Stokka / news The clock has just struck 9.30pm. The sun has set in the sea off the Jær coast. There is still activity at the sports stadium. But it’s getting dark and it’s hard to see both teammates and opponents. – We have already initiated measures. Among other things, we have disconnected an artificial turf pitch that uses propane gas for heating, and the match in the background here goes on without floodlights, says Dahl. Vigrestad IK is not the only sports team that tries to save money before winter. Have to spend 600,000 more Gjelleråsen IF outside Oslo also runs its own facilities. The track is heated by gas. – Of course we want gas compensation, because that has not been the case until now. It is important to us, says chairman Tone Holme. The increased energy costs amount to NOK 600,000 a year. It will affect the children, says Holme. – And if we increase the prices, perhaps even more children and young people will drop out. In recent months, electricity and energy costs have also multiplied for Vigrestad IK. Now the day-to-day manager fears that the activity will have to be cut even more. – We are planning a solar cell system on the roof to become more energy efficient. But several of the sports facilities are now on the verge of closing if there are no arrangements that work and are predictable, he says. Fearing the hook on the door Dahl fears the sports teams will have to resort to increased membership fees if they are not compensated more. – We can save electricity, but then it will exceed the offer. If we increase the membership fee, it will lead to additional costs for families with children, he says. He believes that something must happen fairly quickly. – Now it’s on fire. We must have 100 percent coverage above 50 øre per kilowatt. Something must happen from the government’s side. If not, it is the hook on the door for many sports facilities. Support for electricity, not gas The Norwegian Sports Confederation (NIF) has asked the Ministry of Culture for more support for all types of energy for the sports teams. NIF will have the same type of compensation as households. State Secretary Gry Haugsbakken (Ap) in the Ministry of Culture. Photo: Ilja C. Hendel / Ministry of Culture In an e-mail to news, the ministry writes that they have introduced a scheme that also applies to winter. But only support for electricity and district heating is covered, says State Secretary Gry Haugsbakken. The decision is incomprehensible to the sports teams. – It is not only our plants that are powered by gas. We don’t understand the argument, says Holme in Gjelleråsen IF.
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Sports teams fear high gas prices will affect children and young people – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
