More indoor swimming pools in Bavaria are shutting down as municipalities struggle to afford the upkeep of aging facilities from the 1970s, exacerbating the problem of non-swimming children.
In Bavaria, many indoor swimming pools are facing closure due to mounting costs and energy consumption. These facilities, often constructed in the 1970s, have become financial burdens for cities and towns, leading to a concerning rise in the number of children who do not know how to swim. The closure of these pools not only impacts local swimming clubs but also poses a public health concern regarding swimming safety and skills among the younger population.
To tackle the financial challenges associated with maintaining or constructing new swimming pools, municipalities are exploring innovative approaches to resource sharing. Inter-municipal cooperation has emerged as a viable solution, where multiple cities and towns collaborate to finance and manage swimming facilities. An example of this initiative is the inter-municipal pool project in Geretsried, located in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district, which serves eight communities by pooling their resources and offering shared access to swimming facilities.
The Geretsried swimming pool represents a shift in how local governments are addressing the declining number of swimming facilities as well as the growing issue of non-swimming children. By sharing the costs and responsibilities associated with maintaining public pools, municipalities can ensure that these essential recreational facilities remain available, encouraging swimming as a vital skill among children and promoting community health and well-being in the long term.
