Looking forward to the summer season in the Rigi-Rutsch'n: Stefan Ziegler, board member of the municipal utilities, and Bäderpark manager Karin Hosse. © Jepsen
Peißenberg – Inflation and increased energy costs are forcing municipal utilities to increase admission prices for the summer bathing season in the Rigi-Rutsch'n, which begins on Father's Day (18 May). On average, the tariffs for the outdoor pool increase by 25 percent, for the sauna even by a few percentage points more.
The preparations for the outdoor pool season are almost complete. The pools have been recessed and the technical equipment has been whipped into shape. According to a press release from the works, a "challenge" was the fixing of admission prices in advance. In addition to the already difficult conditions with annual deficits in the pool park of over one million euros, inflation and higher energy prices have now been added. Of course, the higher costs were "not fully" passed on to the entrance fees, emphasizes Stefan Ziegler, the board member of the municipal utilities: "Because otherwise no one will come." But the tariffs are still rising noticeably, with the municipal utilities, for example, also granting a "slide discount" - to compensate for the still missing slide system (there will not be a new water slide until 2024). Another consolation: the prices for season tickets are kept almost stable. Overall, Ziegler speaks of a "fair offer".
Reconsidered
Intensive analysis was carried out at the municipal utilities in the run-up to the summer season. "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 Ziegler. 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. In the Bäderpark, families are to be brought back into focus. "The Rigi-Rutsch'n is a family pool with an attached sauna and not the other way around" is the slogan of the municipal utilities. And: "This value proposition must be reflected in the prices and offers." The "highlight" in the new price table is the new open-air pool family tariff, which is now also available as a season ticket and which will also include grandparents, grandchildren, registered civil partnerships and patchwork families in the future.
However, the municipal utilities also took a closer look at the sauna operation in the Rigi-Rutsch'n. One accusation has been made for some time that the sauna area, in contrast to the outdoor pool, is constantly being invested in new offers, although it is also only a decent pay-as-you-go business for the municipal company. "Sauna operation is certainly not part of the public service," admits Bäderpark manager Karin Hosse in this regard. But from the point of view of the plants, there is a big "but": A current contribution margin calculation has shown that the sauna produces an average minus 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), this is comparatively little. Ziegler then also describes it as a "myth" that the sauna would open up a considerable cost gap.
"Black zero" for sauna operation
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." If the outdoor pool were to be restricted, staff would have to be brought in or exhibited again and again in spring and autumn: "Without the sauna, we would not be able to guarantee summer operation in the outdoor pool," explains Ziegler.
For the next three years, the Werke's board of directors assured at a press conference in February, operations in Rigi-Rutsch'n are secured in their current form (we reported). A political discourse is to be held on what will happen to the spa park afterwards and on the question of whether Peißenberg will still be able to afford a pool in the future. It is still unclear exactly how this will take place and in which committees. As a basis for discussion, the municipal utilities are to present various scenarios. This could also include marketing the current Bäderpark site on Pestalozzistraße for urban development purposes and building a new swimming pool elsewhere. 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 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."
