Tatami bath in Schmölln: rescue operation before the final end!

Tatami bath in Schmölln: rescue operation before the final end!

The situation of swimming pools in Thuringia is becoming increasingly precarious. In Altenburger Land, the tatami bathroom is fighting for its existence. More and more facilities, including the popular local pool, are on the verge of closure. The main reasons are dilapidated infrastructure and an acute shortage of staff. This reports Thuringia24.

However, the Schmölln municipal utilities workforce is energetic and is working hard to maintain their swimming pool. On July 8, 2023, posters with the clear appeal “We don’t want to close” were hung in front of the bathroom. Pool manager David Neumann emphasizes the importance of publicity and information to make people aware of the impending closure.

Actions to save the pool business

In the coming days, a total of five posters will be placed in highly visible locations throughout the city. A petition to collect signatures is also planned. So far, almost 10,000 supporters have already signed, and the number is constantly growing. In order to ensure the long-term operation of the tatami bath, regional companies want to work together on solutions.

But how is the tatami bathroom doing financially? The annual deficit of around one million euros can no longer be covered by the municipal utilities or through the city's shares. Mayor Sven Schrade (SPD) makes it clear that without additional financial support from the state, the pool would have to close at the end of the year. The operating costs amount to around 2.6 million euros annually, while the income is far from enough to cover these. A one-off grant of 440,000 euros from a new pool aid scheme has so far been necessary for stabilization, but raises the question: What will happen after 2024? This information comes from MDR.

Threatened swimming pool culture in Germany

The precarious conditions are not just limited to the tatami bathroom. Around one in seven public swimming pools in Germany could close in the next three years if comprehensive renovation measures are not taken. According to a survey by the German Institute for Urban Studies among around 900 treasuries commissioned by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), there is a worrying investment backlog of 186.1 billion euros. In the sports sector alone, the deficit amounts to around 12.12 billion euros. Ute Vogt, President of the German Life Saving Society (DLRG), describes the planned loss of around 800 pools as fatal for swimming and bathing culture. These alarming numbers come from a report by ZfK.

The situation is clear: Swimming pools in Thuringia and beyond are facing serious challenges. It is time for both the population and those responsible to act to preserve the bathing culture in the long term. Navigating the current crisis requires commitment and support. Who will take the helm?