The "Félix Elmusa" Workers' Social Circle reopens in Havana

Photos via Photo: Estudios Revolución

By Angélica Paredes López, translated from the Spanish

Four months ago, amid one of the most challenging economic and social moments Cuba has faced, the restoration of the "Félix Elmusa" Workers' Social Circle began in the Náutico neighborhood of Playa, a municipality in the capital.

After several weeks of tremendous efforts spearheaded by the Cuban Aviation Corporation (CACSA) alongside other organizations, the recreational facility officially opened its doors at the beginning of July. While it primarily benefits workers affiliated with the Transport, Communications, and Aviation sectors, it also provides numerous opportunities for the residents of Havana.

At noon this Saturday (July 18), the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, arrived at the recreational facility to witness how much can be achieved in the face of adversity with the involvement of various economic actors.

During the tour, joined by Joel Beltrán Archer Santos, president of the Cuban Aviation Corporation, the president admired the extensive rehabilitation efforts by a multidisciplinary team that gave the city back a renovated space for recreation.

Despite the tightened blockade by the United States government and its strict oil siege, this facility gained energy independence by installing a system of solar panels, inverters, and batteries. This setup ensures guests can enjoy a comfortable stay without the frequent

annoying blackouts that affect Cubans’ daily lives.

As he learned more about the construction details and infrastructure of the project, the Head of State toured the leisure facilities, chatting with workers and spending time with children, young people, and families.

At each completed site, marked by an extraordinary attention to detail, Díaz-Canel, alongside his colleague Lis Cuesta Peraza, recognized the dedication and commitment of the Cuban aviation companies -- and especially their workers -- who tirelessly carried out various tasks day and night to ensure everything was ready when the challenging summer began.

The Cuban president strolled along the coast to check out the diving area, admired the artworks on display in the gallery, visited the gym and game room, and toured the dining spots – including a pizzeria, cafeteria, and ranchón – each offering a variety of options managed in different ways.

Several vacationers from the beach area approached to greet him and take photos with the president. He also visited the swimming pool, the bakery-candy store, the baseball field, and the children's room, where the care service for the youngest children remains open, while the older children enjoy a beautiful playground.

"This is an experience that can be replicated," said President Díaz-Canel as the visit ended. To which, Maytée Crespo Alonso, who oversees the operation of this Workers' Social Circle on behalf of Cuba Catering S.A., promptly replied: "The challenge is to sustain it."

Where Will is Stronger than Adversity

These days, Joel Beltrán Archer Santos, president of the Cuban Aviation Corporation (CACSA), takes pride in having led a process that, while challenging, always felt achievable.

In a conversation with the Communication team of the Presidency of the Republic, he explained that the restoration of the "Félix Elmusa" Workers' Social Circle, located west of the capital, involves companies from the Aviation, Computer and Communications sectors, the Ministry of Transport, and entities with various management models. All the forms of management currently promoted in the country coexist here, aiming to provide everyone with a space to carry out their activities and ensure that visitors to the facility have an enjoyable experience.

During a summer that has been intense for too many reasons, the director of Cuban Aviation shared that various companies within the aviation system have been given opportunities to manage specific areas; "This also helps them build a different kind of connection with their workers and makes it possible for us to set up a payment system for those entities with other responsibilities. Here, besides providing the service, they ensure its sustainability since they also have their own source of income."

Achieving energy independence in this project was the biggest challenge. Without that autonomy, made possible through solar energy, it wouldn’t have been possible to provide all the services that are operating today.

The president of CACSA highlighted that another key factor is that the center already has full Wi-Fi access and a complete e-commerce system in place.

"Everything we are doing is just a first step," Archer Santos told reporters. He spoke about the bond they’re starting to build with the community, including children in need of specialized care, as well as other initiatives that will be implemented to support retirees.

He added: "Our intention is not to stop. We will always continue looking for alternatives that allow us to improve what we have done so far."

Although priority for accessing the recreational facility is given to workers in the transport, communications, and aviation sectors, the doors are also open, in an organized way, to the local community—especially residents of the town where the “Félix Elmusa” Workers’ Social Circle is located, along the coast in western Havana.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC