Another renovation phase completed: The 50-metre hall of the city pool will be open again from Monday, 8 December

In the run-up to its 75th anniversary in 2010, the city had extensive areas of the architectural monument modernised at a cost of almost four million euros. For financial and technical reasons, but also to guarantee the operation of the pool and sauna, such refurbishments are carried out at regular intervals.

State-of-the-art ventilation system

The modernisation of the ventilation technology was urgently required as these systems had been in operation since a general refurbishment at the beginning of the 1980s. They had to be replaced for reasons of hygiene and fire protection, among other things. The contractors decommissioned and dismantled several separately operating ventilation systems in a staggered sequence. They then upgraded the ventilation centres: the brickwork had to be drained, wall plaster renewed and new doors and floors installed. Due to the limited space available, some of the new ventilation units even had to be dismantled into individual parts before installation.

By installing new ventilation systems with heat recovery, the city also aims to reduce operating costs. According to initial calculations, operating costs in the five-figure range can be saved each year.

The forthcoming reopening of the 50-metre hall marks the completion of a further stage in the complete refurbishment of the building's facilities.

Since last summer, the ventilation systems, including the air distribution systems of the 25-metre and 50-metre halls, the foyer and the system for ventilating the glass roof and the large hall , have been brought up to the latest technical standards. The central ventilation units in the sauna wing have been completely replaced. The city invested around 2.1 million euros in these latest overhauls. In addition to monument protection aspects, the work also had to take structural fire protection into account.

A further 350,000 euros were invested in the simultaneous renovation of the gallery of the large indoor swimming pool. Sound and fire protection had to be improved and the lighting renewed.

The complex construction work demanded a great deal of understanding from bathing enthusiasts, who had to forgo some of their usual swimming pool visits or switch to other pools. But it was also a complicated endeavour for the construction planners to coordinate all of the upcoming tasks. In addition to the ventilation renewal, there was also legally required maintenance of the pool technology and, as a result, maintenance and repair work.

The construction work was further complicated and delayed by flood damage last summer. Water had entered the basement of the municipal pool and damaged the facilities to such an extent that they had to be repaired at a cost of 350,000 euros. Further steps towards flood protection are due to begin in January.

The Sports Office also has good news for the former bowling alley: A new user has been found for this facility in the form of TSV Einheit Süd, which has now installed a bowling alley suitable for competitions.

Event on Sunday as a thank you to understanding bathers

One day before the large indoor swimming pool is available to bathers again as normal, the Sports Office is organising an event with the motto "Introducing the municipal pool".

All these offers are available at a special event price of two euros for adults and one euro for concessions. The sauna area is excluded; this can be used on this day at the statutory admission price.

On Sunday, 7 December, the largest and oldest indoor swimming pool in Chemnitz will be offering all kinds of interesting, sporting and entertaining activities for its visitors from 10 am to 4 pm .

One of the highlights will certainly be the insights provided by protagonists from the municipal theatres in their performance "Die Moderne geht baden" ("Modernity goes swimming"), which will be staged at the Stadtbad on 24 January 2015. The venerable Stadtbad will then become the setting for a dancing homage to the "Golden Twenties".