Open-air baths face growing congestion during rehabilitation, according to recent survey findings
It seems like a good chunk of Germany's public baths are crying out for renovation, according to a recent survey. A whopping 38% of operators admit that their facility is in dire need of a major overhaul within the next five years—an increase of three percentage points since 2024. This alarming statistic was gathered by the Association of Municipal Enterprises after polling 113 operators of municipal baths across the country.
While 35% only require minor repairs, it's worth noting that more than one in four baths have undergone a recent reno. Ingbert Liebing, the managing director of the association, summed it up: "It's clear that the number of public baths in Germany requiring extensive renovation is on the rise." In his opinion, renovations are vital to keep these pools accessible to all, ensuring they remain afloat tomorrow.
But do we have enough dough for repairs?
Before a single tile can be replaced, financing matters need to be sorted out. A daunting 88% of operators claim that the funding situation is grim, with grants being Either too scant or mismatched to their needs. To make matters worse, 79% bemoan the soaring construction costs. According to Liebing, "Thin grants, escalating construction costs, and skyrocketing interest rates make financing renos a real challenge."
Earlier this year, the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) issued a stark warning: Hundreds of public baths may cease to exist if major renovations don't get underway. The German Association for Bathing maintains a "Bath Atlas" listing over 6,000 indoor and outdoor baths nationwide—private facilities included.
So, what's the federal plan?
The new federal government has pledged at least one billion euros for the modernization and revamp of sports facilities. baths could potentially benefit from this allocation. Liebing applauded the move, stating, "This is a step in the right direction, but it's crucial to keep up the momentum." He suggests making the programs permanent so that baths can continue to serve as an essential municipal public service for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Recently, the opposition in the Bundestag voiced concerns over the federal government's proposed tax plans for municipalities. Green parliamentary group vice Andreas Audretsch warned that these measures would spell doom for many German municipalities. He fears that the loss of billions in revenue could lead to the closure of swimming pools, youth, and cultural institutions.
"Science can play a crucial role in exploring alternative funding solutions for the renovation of health-and-wellness facilities like public baths, as the current financial situation is facing challenges."
"The federal government's commitment to allocating over one billion euros for sports facilities modernization could potentially though not exclusively, benefit fitness-and-exercise amenities such as public baths, improving their state and promoting health-and-wellness nationwide."
