Power Beach faces approval hurdle for Dassoudi beach fitness area

Limassol, Cyprus. Volunteer-led initiative Power Beach has encountered regulatory obstacles in its effort to establish an outdoor fitness area at Dassoudi beach, after authorities said installations on state forest land require prior approval. The dispute concerns foundations installed for a planned entrance sign.

Forestry department position

Power Beach said forestry department officials removed a newly built steel and concrete base before the sign was erected, leading the group to call for greater dialogue between public authorities and community initiatives.

Forestry department spokesman Glafkos Kyriakou said the matter was procedural.

“They attempted to install gym equipment on state forest land,” he said. “Any installation requires permission from the forestry department. Only the department’s director can grant such permission. Any application has to be examined and it is possible that an environmental assessment or other studies may also be required.”

Municipality response

A senior official at Amathounta municipality said the group had proceeded without authorisation.

“It is a group without a permit which installed its own equipment next to the existing public exercise area,” the official said. “The land is under the forestry department. The municipality’s official position is that they do not have permission, and we will decide what action needs to be taken before the end of the month.”

Initiative background

Power Beach founder Jonathan Glikys, originally from Toronto, said the project had developed through volunteer work and community support.

“Fitness saved my life,” he said. “I lost my mother and father, I was a drug addict and I was in prison.”

Glikys said the group had previously operated a beach gym during the Covid-19 pandemic, but was asked to remove it after restrictions ended.