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Prices rise in the Rigi-Rutsch'n in Peißenberg - No guarantee of survival

2023-05-09T12:16:26.606Z

Highlights: The Rigi-Rutsch'n is a family pool with an attached sauna and not the other way around. On average, the prices for the outdoor pool rise by 25 percent. The indoor pool is now available to families with children again without restriction from 14 p.m. The inner cabin wing is also open again. The municipal utilities describe the turnaround with a slogan that reads: "Family pool with attached saunas" The cost of running the pool park is still rising by a little more than 25 percent per year.



Looking forward to the summer season in the Rigi-Rutsch'n: Stefan Ziegler and Karin Hosse. © Jepsen

On Father's Day (18 May), the Rigi-Rutsch'n starts the summer season. The municipal utilities responsible for the operation speak of a "transitional year".

Peißenberg – The Rigi-Rutsch'n is ready for summer operation: The overhaul period lasted around six weeks, during which the outdoor pools were cleaned, the tiles damaged by frost were replaced, fresh water was let in, the technology was whipped into shape and the green spaces were maintained.

This year, however, the determination of the conceptual orientation of the pool park and the pricing were similarly complex. Stefan Ziegler, the board member of the municipal utilities, carried out an in-depth analysis with his controlling and marketing department as well as with the management of the pool park. "We talked to a lot of people. There was a lot of praise for the employees, but also critical comments regarding some developments in recent years," reports the head of the municipal company (KU).

Family bathroom with attached sauna

There had been displeasure mainly because the outdoor pool guests were no longer allowed to use the changing rooms in the company building and the indoor swimming pool – not even in bad weather. This was especially true for families with small children. As Ziegler puts it, the municipal utilities have "taken the criticisms to heart" and reacted. The indoor pool is now available to families with children again without restriction from 14 p.m. The other bathers are only allowed in bad weather. The inner cabin wing is also open again. The municipal utilities describe the turnaround with a slogan that reads: "The Rigi-Rutsch'n is a family pool with an attached sauna and not the other way around." Ziegler wants to take the saying seriously: "This value proposition must be reflected in the prices and offers."

Nevertheless, it was clear that the municipal utilities had to turn the price screw in view of inflation and the price increases in the energy sector. On average, the prices for the outdoor pool rise by 25 percent. A small consolation: Due to the lack of a water slide, a "slide discount" has been included in the children's, youth and family tariffs.

Prices are rising

On average, the tariffs for the sauna are still rising by a little more than 25 percent. One accusation that the municipal utilities are confronted with is that although the sauna area is constantly being expanded, the bottom line is still a decent pay-as-you-go business for the KU. This is exactly what an expert opinion from a pool office had determined a few years ago. Ziegler has now had an up-to-date contribution margin calculation made: The sauna produces an average loss of around 50,000 euros per year. Compared to the total deficit of the pool park (around one million euros per year; And the trend is rising), the number is very small. Ziegler describes it as a "myth" that the sauna opens up a considerable cost gap.

With the price increases for the summer season, the municipal utilities are now even aiming for a "black zero" for sauna operation. But the KU boss points to another reason why the sauna is so important for the pool park: "It ensures year-round operation." In the event of a restriction to the outdoor pool, staff would have to be recruited or exhibited again and again in spring and autumn - and this in times of a shortage of skilled workers in the swimming pool industry. "Without the sauna, we would not be able to guarantee summer operation in the outdoor pool," explains Ziegler. However, at a press conference almost three months ago, the KU boss only wanted to guarantee for the next three years that the Rigi-Rutsch'n would continue to operate in its current form.

No guarantee for the bathroom

Whether there will still be a swimming pool in Peißenberg in the medium to long term and whether the plants or the municipality can still afford such a facility will be discussed in a political discourse. Ziegler envisages the involvement of an external consulting firm that could moderate the discussion process: "There are different methods." In any case, Ziegler would like to strictly separate the debate about the future of the Rigi-Rutsch'n from ongoing operations. "Peißenberg has to learn that," says the KU boss: "The Rigi-Rutsch'n must not become a political pawn. Because that's at the expense of the employees – and I have something against that."

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The tender documents for the new slide system are currently being prepared. According to Bäderpark manager Karin Hosse, construction work is scheduled to begin in September, right after the summer season – including for the new diving tower facility. The municipal utilities do not yet want to reveal anything about the architecture and the lines of the new slide. "Only when we have the offers will we be able to say more," explains Ziegler. The new slide is said to be slightly longer than the old one. And it is to be assembled in such a way that it can be dismantled and rebuilt at another location, as well as the new diving tower system. Marketing the outdoor pool area in terms of urban development and possibly building a new swimming pool elsewhere could also be an option that will play a role in the political discourse on the future of the pool park.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2023-05-09

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