Stick around for a session at the EP

The European Parliament published on Tuesday (26 June) a notice for candidates who might want to operate its revamped sports and health centre in its Brussels building once a multi-million euro renovation and expansion is completed in early 2009. The 2,300 square metre centre will occupy levels -1 to -5 of the Altiero Spinelli building, after the addition of pools, saunas and Turkish baths (the only thing Turkish in the Parliament, if Nicolas Sarkozy has anything to do with it).
The notice boasts that there are 40,000 potential users of the centre, “staff/members of all the EU institutions in Brussels”, and says that the aim is for the sports centre to open from 7.30am to 9.30pm on weekdays, and 9.30am to 6.30pm at weekends. All becomes clear: it is a cunning (if expensive) plan to ensure that the Parliament is not completely deserted after midday on Friday.