Open-air bath facilities experiencing growing overcrowding in rehabilitation programs
Stay afloat, German public baths in peril amid budget crunch
Swimming against the tide seems to be the unfortunate reality for numerous public baths in Germany. A study shows a staggering 38% of operators anticipate their facilities will require a comprehensive overhaul within the next five years - a concerning 3-point jump from 2024. This information comes from the Association of Municipal Enterprises who surveyed 113 operators of municipal baths[2].
While 35% of respondents expect only minor repairs, over a quarter have freshened up recently. The Association's CEO, Ingbert Liebing, confirmed the escalating trend: "Increasingly, German public baths stand in dire need of renovation[1]." Renovations, he insists, are crucial for the longevity of these community spaces.
Financing a facelift
If swimming pools are to put on their best face, financial support needs to dive into the picture first. Per the survey, a whopping 88% of bath operators lament the high funding demands and inadequate or misaligned grants[2]. Additionally, 79% voiced concerns over soaring construction costs. "Strained budgets, rising construction expenses, and escalating interest rates create walls we need to navigate to fund renovation projects," Liebing explained[2]."
Earlier this year, the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) raised the alarm, warning of potential closures of hundreds of public baths if extensive renovations don't happen. The German Bathing Association's "Bath Atlas" lists over 6,000 indoor and outdoor baths nationwide, including private establishments[3].
Federal government jumps in the deep end
The incoming federal government has outlined plans to provide at least one billion euros for the modernization and renovation of sports facilities - potentially benefiting public baths as well[3]. While this move is greeted with applause, Liebing and others call for enduring funding increases to assure swimming pools remain a vital community service for all ages and demographics.
Recently, opposition parties in the Bundestag have sounded alarm bells about the potential consequences of the federal government's tax reform for municipalities. Green parliamentary group deputy Andreas Audretsch cautioned: "These tax cuts for businesses will shatter the backs of many municipalities in Germany." With revenue losses, essential facilities like swimming pools, youth, and cultural centers risk closure[3].
[1] – German Life Saving Society (DLRG) warnings about public pool closures: [source][2] – Enrichment data from the survey by the Association of Municipal Enterprises regarding German public bath's financing woes: [source][3] - Federal government's commitment to sports facilities modernization and its potential impact on public baths: [source]
In light of the rising need for renovation, it's essential to explore funding options for the facelift of public baths, as shown by the 88% of operators who Luibing says have voiced concerns regarding high funding demands and inadequate grants [2]. The German Life Saving Association's warning about potential closures of hundreds of public baths underscores the importance of persistent funding increases for these community spaces, which are crucial for health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and overall science-based well-being [3].
