As of: February 3, 2024, 12:00 p.m
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The Alpine warm bath in Benediktbeuern is popular, but the community is running a deficit.
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The municipality of Benediktbeuern is shortening the opening times for its Alpine warm pool.
This is intended to save energy and personnel costs.
Because the bathroom continues to run a deficit.
Benediktbeuern – The delta of the Benediktbeuren Alpine warm bath between income and expenditure remains high.
The local council therefore decided at its most recent meeting to shorten the opening times.
Just before the start of the bathing season, the high deficit of the Alpine warm pool was once again under discussion.
According to managing director Michael Herrmann, the gap in 2023 without depreciation was around 185,000 euros, and the loss including depreciation was around 400,000 euros.
Rising costs are causing problems for the community
Although the income remains consistently good, “the rising personnel and energy costs are causing us problems,” explained Herrmann.
He suggested that the pool should not be opened until 12 p.m. on weekdays.
“Except for the Pentecost and summer holidays,” said the manager.
The new regulation could save around 10,000 euros per year.
Not everyone on the local council was enthusiastic about the idea
The idea was discussed in detail in the local council.
Hans-Otto Pielmeier (CSU) saw club and school swimming at risk, Georg Bernböck (BB) feared for the attractiveness of the pool.
Third Mayor Margarete Steffens (CSU) was concerned about the “early swimmer community”.
Hanns-Frank Seller (CSU) appealed that, given the fact that it is a public bath, more savings could not be made.
Mayor warns: limits of performance have been reached
Herrmann and Mayor Toni Ortlieb (BBV) were able to refute all objections.
The clubs and schools would supervise themselves and only need one technical specialist; not much more than a handful would come to swim in the morning.
“In view of the lack of staff, we will be happy if we can even open in May,” said the manager.
In addition, “we are reaching the limit where we can perform,” Ortlieb added.
By shortening the opening hours, a shift could be saved on the days in question, “which would have a further positive effect given the amount of overtime that permanent employees work,” says Herrmann.
A small sign of the willingness to save
Everyone agreed that a saving of 10,000 euros wasn't much.
“But we have to start saving somewhere and set an example with this relatively small amount,” argued Herrmann.
The local council then supported the change in opening times, with Thomas Guggemos (CSU) voting against.