Open outdoor pools - but water temperature is lowered to save gas
Created: 05/10/2022, 18:45
By: Nina Büchs
The first outdoor pools in Cologne will open in mid-May.
In 2022, bathers will have to adjust to cooler water temperatures - to save gas.
Cologne – In mid-May 2022 it will finally be that time again in Cologne and the first three outdoor pools in Cologne will start the season regularly.
From May 14, 2022, swimmers will be able to swim their lanes again in the Höhenbergbad, in the Ossendorfbad and in the Lentpark.
This year, however, bathers have to be prepared for slightly cooler water temperatures.
Because of the war in Ukraine, not only have the prices for some supermarket products increased, but gas and energy prices have also skyrocketed.
This now also affects the indoor and outdoor pools in Cologne, reports 24RHEIN.
Cologne: Gas prices too high – water temperature in outdoor pools lowered
"Although the KölnBäder have always acted in an energy-conscious manner, they want to respond to the call to save gas consumption under the given special circumstances by taking suitable measures," reports KölnBäder GmbH.
Specifically, this means that outdoor pools should generally only be heated up to 21 degrees.
According to a spokeswoman for the German Society for Bathing in Essen, the usual temperature in the pools of the outdoor pools is 24 degrees on average, and 26 degrees in the non-swimmer pools.
In addition, the water temperature in Cologne's indoor pools is to be reduced by 2 degrees.
The sports and teaching pools are not affected.
The water temperature will also be adjusted in the outdoor area - the water temperature in the seasonal pools will be reduced by 3 degrees, they say.
“This alone should save around 25,000 m³ of gas.
In addition, there are no warm bathing days in the indoor pools.
The sauna landscapes in Höhenberg and in the Lentpark are not operated in summer," says KölnBäder.
To use less gas: Cologne baths take action
Outdoor pools are only heated up to 21 degrees
The Lentpark as a natural bathing pond and the natural outdoor pool in Vingst cannot be heated
Water temperature in indoor pools will be reduced by 2 degrees (except for sports and teaching pools)
Temperature in seasonal pools will be reduced by 3 degrees
Warm bathing days in indoor pools are currently not taking place
Sauna landscapes in Höhenberg and Lentpark will be canceled in summer 2022
Source: Koelnbaeder.de
Outdoor pools and indoor pools react to high gas prices - few bathers at the start of the season?
The increased energy costs are also currently a major issue for other swimming pool and outdoor pool operators in NRW.
"The question is whether fossil-heated outdoor pools can maintain their usual water temperatures throughout the season or whether energy needs to be saved," said a spokeswoman for the German Society for Swimming in Essen.
A number of indoor pools nationwide had previously reduced the water temperatures in the pools.
But what does that mean for the upcoming outdoor pool season?
"The sun shines best on several days in a row, because many people only go to the outdoor pool for the third day with sunshine in a row," said the spokeswoman.
For the first week of May, however, the prospects are not too promising.
"At the start of the season, only the die-hard regulars will probably turn up."
Outdoor pool: high gas prices due to the Ukraine conflict - outdoor pools as energy guzzlers
According to the German Society for Bathing and Swimming, heated outdoor pools are "big energy guzzlers", reports the
editorial network Germany
.
There are considerations of keeping these completely closed or only opening them when it is warmer and you don't have to heat so much anymore.
It remains to be seen how crowded it will be at the start of the outdoor pool season in Cologne.
First of all, the three pools Ossendorfbad, Höhenbergbad and the Lentpark natural bathing pond will start the outdoor pool season 2022. Due to the nice weather, there will also be a trial run in these three pools on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 1 p.m.
Gradually, other pools, such as the Zollstockbad and the Vingst outdoor pool, will open their outdoor pools.
The outdoor pool season is expected to run until September 11, 2022, it is said.
(nb with dpa/lnw)
