Due to "Spain's economic crisis," the coastal city of Tarragona, the host of the 2017 Mediterranean Games, will "reduce the scale of the project of hosting the event to ensure its survival," according to Jesús Mínguez of AS. The event's initial projected budget of €150M has been reduced to €90M ($122M). Tarragona Mayor Josep Fèlix Ballesteros said, "We are advancing at a good rate in difficult circumstances, as we are seeking austerity and sustainability without losing sight of fulfilling what is needed for a sporting event" (AS, 2/3). In Madrid, Sara Massa reported "with a mentality of maximum savings with renovation favored over construction," the Tarragona Games will "use public and private collaboration from the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), Spain's Superior Sports Council (CSD), the Barcelona government and other institutions." Ballesteros said, "We did not want to have a legacy that would create a burden for the city. So, for example, the Olympic Village will instead be a hotel in Salou. We are not going to build anything that becomes obsolete later" (EL CONFIDENCIAL, 2/3).
