In need of upgrades, nearly half of Germany's public bathrooms could face closure, according to VKU's warning.
In Germany, a significant number of indoor swimming pools require comprehensive renovation. According to the VKU (German Swimming Pool and Wellness Association), 52% of pools are in dire need of an overhaul. This state of disrepair is already affecting swimming lessons today, with 79% of pool operators reporting that children are swimming less well than they did ten years ago.
The high construction costs associated with renovations are a major challenge for 79% of pool operators. Moreover, more than half (52%) see a need for improvement in school swimming cooperation with states and municipalities.
Ingbert Liebing, CEO of the VKU, emphasises the importance of renovations for maintaining indoor pools in both cities and rural areas. He calls on the federal and state governments to develop better and better-equipped funding programs, particularly in response to the extensive renovation needs of swimming pools and the inadequate funding available, such as the current SJK (Sport, Youth, Culture) program.
Another practical problem is that lesson cancellations are not always communicated in time, according to the VKU. Additionally, 83% of pool operators report insufficient and unsuitable funding for renovations.
Rising interest rates pose a challenge for 71% of pool operators, while 59% face obstacles, with financing being the biggest one. Liebing suggests that it would be better to renovate and maintain hundreds of simple pools rather than building ten new high-gloss ones.
The renovation of pools is urgently needed to secure the offer for school swimming, according to Liebing. Only 18% of indoor pools in Germany have been recently renovated.
To address this issue, 75% of pool operators propose higher fees for school swimming, and 42% recommend an earlier swimming "introduction," for example, already in kindergarten. Fortunately, 99% of pool operators offer capacities for kindergarten and school swimming.
However, the SJK funding program in Germany currently focuses more on flagship projects rather than financially struggling municipalities that need more support. It would be sensible if schools were more flexible in designing their timetables and allocated more time for swimming lessons, as suggested by the VKU.
In conclusion, the urgent need for indoor pool renovations in Germany is evident. The VKU urges the federal and state governments to prioritise and better fund these renovations to ensure the continued availability of swimming facilities for both cities and rural areas and to improve the quality of swimming lessons for children.
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