As of: January 19, 2024, 9:00 a.m
By: Michaele Heske
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We have to be patient for two weeks longer this year: Among the first bathers of the season last year were (from left) Susanna Andree, Johanna Sax-Meyer, Susanne Ebersberger and Renate Haberland.
© heske/archive
The bathers at the Dorfen outdoor pool will have to be patient a little longer this year: the season doesn't start until May 18th this year.
The multi-purpose pool is to be completely renovated in the near future for around 400,000 euros.
Dorfen – The Dorfen outdoor pool is 60 years old – a gem in the middle of the city that impresses with its ramshackle charm.
Even if it is not a fun pool, swimmers young and old will get their money's worth here.
Last summer, 71,200 visitors cavorted in the pool and sunbathed on the lawns.
However, they will have to be patient a little longer this year.
The outdoor pool doesn't start the season until May 18th this year.
It will then be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until the end of August, and ticket prices will remain unchanged.
Treasurer Maria Bauer has included 400,000 euros in the investment plan for the 2024 budget year so that the multi-purpose pool can be completely renovated in a timely manner, she explained to the city councilors at the building and transport committee meeting on Wednesday in the town hall.
The swimming pool has also been a loss-making operation for years.
“But it is an important facility for all citizens,” said Mayor Heinz Grundner.
That's why the city is happy to make up the shortfall.
In 2023 it was 364,000 euros, in previous years it was only 235,000 euros.
The reason is the increased energy costs.
But that's not enough.
The outdoor pool currently does not have an operations manager.
The vacant position for a specialist employee for pool operations was advertised, but no qualified applications were received, building authority manager Franz Wandinger explained to the city councilors.
As an alternative to its own staff, the city could use an external service provider.
“If we accept the offer, the swimming pool can continue to operate, but at significantly higher costs.”
The water rescue service will of course continue to support supervision in the outdoor pool, he said.
In May last year, only the “hardened swimmers” came to the pool, according to civil engineering department manager Jürgen Dietrich.
5,800 in number; in June there were 21,000 bathers; in July and August there were 19,000 and 17,000 visitors respectively.
If the outdoor pool were only opened in June this season, he calculated that almost 80,000 euros could be saved.
When temperatures are warm, you don't have to add additional heat to the Dorfen outdoor pool because the municipal facility - like the schools - is connected to the municipal utility's district heating network.
“Every restriction hurts,” said Grundner, referring to the strained budget situation.
Vice Mayor Ludwig Rudolf (CSU) asked whether “we can turn the entry screw.”
However, Grundner spoke out against increasing the prices because of the condition of the leisure facility.
“One euro more for the day ticket?” suggested Sven Krage (ÜWG).
That wouldn't be worth it either, since many visitors had season tickets, the city boss replied: "We'll have to swallow the toad in May, not everything is possible."
SPD city councilor Jell-Huber suggested a compromise: “If we open in the middle of the month?” Experience shows that temperatures rise in the second half of May.
In addition, swimming courses often start at this time.
“This year the Pentecost holidays are very early, the last day of school is on May 17th,” Martin Heilmeier (LDW) jumped to her side.
“This will save us at least 35,000 euros,” argued Jell-Huber.
Seven city councilors voted for their proposal and four against.