A recent survey by the German Institute for Urban Studies indicates that approximately 14% of indoor swimming pools in Germany are likely to shut down soon due to the high costs associated with their operation and maintenance. These facilities, built in the 1970s, require significant renovations that many municipalities are unable to afford given their strained budgets. The growing trend of closures highlights the urgent need for new approaches to sustain these important community resources.

Local governments are called to explore inter-municipal collaboration as a feasible solution to the problem. By pooling resources and sharing the financial burden, communities can keep their swimming pools open while also benefiting from the economies of scale that collaborative operations offer. A case study from Geretsried, where several municipalities have come together to manage a joint indoor pool project, exemplifies how successful partnerships can help alleviate individual financial pressures.

The necessity for cooperation among municipalities emphasizes a broader conversation about resource management and public service sustainability in Germany. If communities continue to try to maintain their own separate facilities independently, they risk a future where all end up 'sitting on the dry.' Finding practical ways to work together will be critical in ensuring that essential recreational facilities remain available for future generations.