Back
Editor:
Presscouncil City of Chemnitz
Pressrelease: 745

City council decides to build a swimming complex in Bernsdorf

The Chemnitz City Council today approved the construction of a new indoor swimming pool in the Bernsdorf district. The decision was based on the updated version of the sports development plan, which was approved at the same meeting, as well as a further report from a structural engineer, which has been available for a week, including the approval of a structural engineer, according to which the existing indoor swimming pool in Bernsdorf can only be operated until July 2017.

Back in June 2016, the city council decided to build a new swimming complex with a total investment volume of 13.1 million euros (with 75 per cent funding), but left the question of location - either at the Bernsdorf outdoor pool or at Küchwald - open at the time. In this context, the construction of a 25 metre swimming pool with 6 lanes, a diving area for a 3 metre platform, a non-swimmers' pool and a paddling pool is planned. Based on the currently available construction costs of approx. 13.1 million euros, the construction of a new outdoor swimming pool is not possible. For this reason, the aim is to retain the existing Berndorf outdoor pool (existing outdoor pool and its technical facilities) and to build a new, modern outdoor pool at a later date. The new structure should be planned in such a way that the final realisation of the "combined pool concept" can be completed at a later date.

From a business and swimming pool perspective, the Bernsdorf outdoor pool site is suitable. In addition to the elimination of the previous indoor swimming pool in Bernsdorf, the site has sufficient space for a needs-based site development and is suitable for the project to build a year-round pool, not least because of the existing and well-maintained outdoor facilities. At the same time, the catchment area is relatively large, the location is relatively close to the city centre compared to other existing pool locations and is easily accessible by public transport.

There are various synergy effects from combining the two Bernsdorf pool locations:

  • Personnel costs: Organisational optimisation is achieved by utilising the work capacity of the former two pools (Bernsdorf indoor pool/ Bernsdorf outdoor pool) in shifts throughout the year and at weekends in one combined facility (simultaneous staffing of two pools is no longer necessary).
  • Reduction in operating costs: As a result of the closure of the Bernsdorf swimming pool, expenses for the operation of all technical facilities (water, waste water, electrical energy, heating, ancillary property costs) will be reduced.
  • The Bernsdorf outdoor pool is a historically well-established pool location within the Chemnitz pool landscape and, according to statistical analyses, is well received by users, clubs and the Technical University. These user groups, such as the swimming clubs (TSV Einheit Süd e. V., Schwimmclub Chemnitz von 1892 e. V.) and Chemnitz University of Technology, would remain in the district at the new location even after the closure of the Bernsdorf indoor swimming pool.